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The beauty of the ragamuffin gospel lies in the insight it offers into Jesus: the essential tenderness of His heart, His way of looking at the world, His mode of relating to you and me. 'If you really want to understand a man, don't just listen to what he says, but watch what he does.
Brennan Manning
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Understanding a person requires more than listening to their words; it involves observing their actions and heart.

Brennan Manning emphasizes that true comprehension of a person, particularly in the context of faith and spirituality, stems not from their spoken words alone but from their genuine actions and attitudes. This quote invites us to look deeper into the character and behavior of individuals, especially as we seek to understand the compassionate nature of Jesus and how it mirrors our own interactions.

Themes

TendernessUnderstandingActionsHeartJesus

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon about compassion, a pastor could use this quote to emphasize the importance of living out one's faith through actions.

More from Brennan Manning

Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
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The sinners to whom Jesus directed His messianic ministry were not those who skipped morning devotions or Sunday church. His ministry was to those whom society considered real sinners. They had done nothing to merit salvation. Yet they opened themselves to the gift that was offered them. On the other hand, the self-righteous placed their trust in the works of the Law and closed their hearts to the message of grace.
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There is the "you" that people see and then there is the "rest of you". Take some time and craft a picture of the "rest of you." This could be a drawing, in words, even a song. Just remember that the chances are good it will be full of paradox and contradictions.
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Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?
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Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.
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For Ragamuffins, God's name is Mercy. We see our darkness as a prized possession because it drives us into the heart of God. Without mercy our darkness would plunge us into despair - for some, self-destruction. Time alone with God reveals the unfathomable depths of the poverty of the spirit. We are so poor that even our poverty is not our own: It belongs to the mysterium tremendum of a loving God.
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Quote by Brennan Manning | QuoteProject