Sinclair B. Ferguson

Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the final rehearsed words, __reat me as one of your hired servants_ are smothered by his father__ embrace! He will not have his son home only on condition that he __oes penance_ in order to work his way back into his father__ grace. He does not need to __epent enough_ to be accepted.Sinclair B. Ferguson. The Whole Christ (Kindle Locations 1913-1916). Crossway.

The knowledge of our union with Christ...gives us confidence in prayer. It was when Jesus had begun to expound the closeness of this union that he also began to introduce the disciples to the true heart of prayer. If Christ abides in us and we abide in him, as his word dwells in us, and we pray in his name, that God hears us (Jn 15:4-7). But all of these expressions are simply extensions of the one fundamental idea: If I am united to Christ, then all that is his is mine. So long as my heart, will and mind are one with Christ's in his word, I can approach God with the humble confidence that my prayers will be heard and answered.

True faith takes its character and quality from its object. Its strength therefore depends on the character of Christ. Even those of us who have weak faith have the same strong Christ as others!

Love is not maximum emotion. Love is maximum commitment.