Basics for Believers Quotes

“I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much – just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary
service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I

myself don't want to love those from different races – especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would
like about three dollars worth of gospel, please.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“Emulate those who are interested in the well-being of others, not in their own. Be on the alert for Christians who really do exemplify this basic Christian attitude, this habit of helpfulness. They are never the sort who strut their way into leadership with inflated estimates of their own importance. They are the kind who cheerfully pick up after other people. They are not offended if no one asks about them; they are too busy asking about others. They are the kind who are constantly seeking to do good spiritually, to do good materially, to do good emotionally. They are committed to the well-being of others.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“The ultimate ground of our rejoicing can never be our circumstances, even though we as Christians recognize that our circumstances are providentially arranged. If our joy derives primarily from our circumstances, then when our circumstances change, we will be miserable. Our delight must be in the Lord himself. That is what enables us to live with joy above our circumstances.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“Happy the Christian who sees in every sin a monster that could easily snare him eternally, were it not for the grace of God.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“Where there are disagreements of principle, argue them out. Take out your Bibles, think things through, find out why you are disagreeing, and be willing to be corrected.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“Some honest differences of opinion among genuine believers could be resolved if they would take the time to sort out why they are looking at things differently and if they would take their views and attitudes and submit them afresh, self-critically, to the Scriptures.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“Once again it is clear Paul does not expect that the answer to our prayers will most likely take us out of the problems, but that our hearts and minds will be garrisoned by the peace of God.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

“The sole heresy has become the view that there is such a thing as heresy.”
― D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians