Quotes of Note

Each Monday, we share quotes we found encouraging, convicting, thought-provoking, or all of the above.

Persis:

This is quote from The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson on assurance and a "frowning providence." This is my second rereading of the book, and it gets better each time.

We are not the best interpreters of divine providence. Nor is our conviction of the Father's love for us grounded in his providential ways with us. The fatal mistake here is to base our assurance of grace and salvation on the fact that "God is blessing my life." When we do so, we have no anchor if life turns sour. No, God anchors us to himself in Christ. He has demonstrated his love to us specifically on the cross - "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." From the crucified Christ, now risen, ascended, and reigning, we must never allow our eyes to be diverted nor view providence except through cross-shaped lenses. (pgs. 215-216)

Kim:

My term paper on Apologetics deals with the problem of evil. One of the books I have been using for my research is The Many Faces of Evil, by John Feinberg. Feinberg's wife was diagnosed with Huntington's Chorea, and that experience has shaped his understanding of evil and suffering. In this passage, he reminds us that living the Christian life is a battle, and battles bring injury:

Yes, we are engaged in a spiritual war. But did you think you could go to war, even be in the front lines of the battle, and never get wounded? 

I did. At least, I never expected a wound like the one we got. But I have come to see that this was unrealistic. The enemy is very real, and has many ways of attacking those who would follow God. Knowing that there will be attack and battle wounds doesn't mean the wounds don't hurt. But it does help us assess more accurately what has happened. One may wish exemption from the battle, but that isn't possible. One may even contemplate changing sides as many do when confronted with tragedy, but that option isn't the answer to our problems for either time or eternity.