Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions
Jonathan EdwardsRead
Grace is the seed of glory, the dawning of glory in the heart, and therefore grace is the earnest of the future inheritance.
Interpretation
Grace is the beginning of a glorious future and a profound inner transformation.
In this quote, Jonathan Edwards suggests that grace is not just a fleeting moment but a foundational element that leads to a greater glory within ourselves. It implies that experiencing grace leads to a transformation of the heart, which signifies a promise of future divine inheritance and personal exaltation. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize grace as a vital aspect of their spiritual journey and future potential.
In practice
In a sermon discussing spiritual growth, the pastor quoted this to emphasize the importance of grace.
Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
So that it must be only by the imagination that Satan has access to the soul, to tempt and delude it, or suggest anything to it. And this seems to be the reason why persons that are under the disease of melancholy are commonly so visibly and remarkably subject to the suggestions and temptations of Satan... Innumerable are the ways by which the mind may be led on to all kind of evil thoughts, by the exciting of external ideas in the imagination.
The deceitfulness of the heart of man appears in no one thing so much as this of spiritual pride and self-righteousness. The subtlety of Satan appears in its height, in his managing persons with respect to this sin. And perhaps one reason may be that here he has most experience; he knows the way of its coming in; he is acquainted with the secret springs of it: it was his own sin. Experience gives vast advantage in leading souls, either in good or evil.
Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.
True virtue never appears so lovely as when it is most oppressed; and the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trials; then it is that true faith appears much more precious than gold, and upon this account is "found to praise and honour and glory.
The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
Without reflecting that this is the only moment in which you can study character," said the count; "on the steps of the scaffold death tears off the mask that has been worn through life, and the real visage is disclosed.
I'm very attracted to exile literature - particularly Nabokov - exactly because the idea of being away from home for any serious length of time is so inconceivable to me.
I believe that there is a greater power in the world than the evil power of military force, of nuclear bombs -- there is the power of good, of morality, of humanitarianism.
We have seen the mere distinction of color made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man.
The value of a man can only be measured with regard to other men.
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