I got more true knowledge from reading the Book of God in one month, than I could ever have acquired from all the writings of men.
Interpretation
True knowledge is best gained from divine sources rather than human writings.
In this quote, George Whitefield emphasizes the profound impact that scripture has on a person's understanding and wisdom. He suggests that the insights gained from the 'Book of God' surpass any knowledge acquired from human literature, highlighting the unique authority and enlightenment that spiritual texts can provide in someone's life.
In practice
In a sermon, one might say, 'As Whitefield beautifully put it, I find that my understanding grows deeper through scripture than through any other text.'
And now let me address all of you, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to accept of mercy and grace while it is offered to you; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation; and will you not accept it, now it is offered unto you?
God is well pleased when all our actions proceed from love, love to Himself, and love to immortal souls.
If your souls were not immortal, and you in danger of losing them, I would not thus speak unto you; but the love of your souls constrains me to speak: methinks this would constrain me to speak unto you forever.
Whoever reads the gospel with a single eye, and sincere intentions, will find, that our blessed Lord took all opportunities of reminding his disciples that His Kingdom was not of this world; that His doctrine was a doctrine of the Cross; and that their professing themselves to be His followers, would call them to a constant state of voluntary suffering and self-denial.
The Christian world is in a deep sleep; nothing but a loud shout can awaken them out of it!
What could the Lord Jesus Christ have done for you more than he has? Then do not abuse his mercy, but let your time be spent in thinking and talking of the love of Jesus, who was incarnate for us, who was born of a woman, and made under the law, to redeem us from the wrath to come.
In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.
I wished to tell the truth, for truth always conveys its own moral to those who are able to receive it.
The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.
Discipline, it has been suggested, is the means of human spiritual evolution. What provides the motive, the energy for discipline? This force I believe to be love. I define love thus: The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth.
Meet this transient world with neither grasping nor fear, trust the unfolding of life, and you will attain true serenity.
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
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