Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
Brennan ManningRead
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the discrepancy between professed beliefs and actual behavior, which can lead to skepticism about faith.
Brennan Manning emphasizes that the inconsistency between what Christians profess in words and how they behave in their daily lives is a significant factor contributing to atheism. He suggests that when people see believers who do not embody their values, it creates disbelief and confusion, ultimately pushing them away from faith and making it seem implausible.
Themes
FaithHypocrisyBeliefBehaviorChristianity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about living authentically as a believer.
More from Brennan Manning
All quotes →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.
Brennan ManningRead
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.
Brennan ManningRead
Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?
Brennan ManningRead
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.
Brennan ManningRead
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.
Brennan ManningRead
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