"Many Christians have what we might call a 'cultural holiness.' They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them... But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than
conformity to the character of God."
- Jerry Bridges
"The Reformation did not directly touch the question of the true character of God's church."
- John Nelson Darby
"The character of God is today, and always will be, exactly what it was in Bible times."
- J. I. Packer
"The foundation of worship in the heart is not emotional ("I feel full of worship" or "The atmosphere is so worshipful"). Actually, it is theological. Worship is not something we "work up," it is something that "comes down" to us, from the character of God."
- Sinclair B. Ferguson
"Faith is confidence in the character of God and if we don't know what kind of God God is, we can't have faith."
- Aiden Wilson Tozer
"Whether you can see it or not - and often we cannot - everything is being used of God for your good as well as the good of others.
This knowledge is by faith. It is not always by sight. But it is nevertheless certain, because it is based on the character of God, who reveals himself to us as both sovereign and benevolent.
We are not to be anxious about the unknown future or to fret about it. We are to live in a moment-by-moment dependence upon God."
- James Montgomery Boice
"Joy isn't grounded in our circumstances; it is grounded in the unchanging character of God."
- Carolyn Custis James
"Holiness is not a series of do's and don'ts but conformity to the character of God and obedience to the will of God."
- Jerry Bridges
"Nothing can alter the character of God. In the course of a human life, tastes and outlook and temper may change radically: a kind,equable man may turn bitter and crotchety: a man of good-will may grow cynical and callous. But nothing of this sort happens to the
Creator. He never becomes less truthful, or merciful, or just, or good, than He used to be."
- J. I. Packer
"What we see at the cross is the white-hot revelation of the character of God, of his love providing the price that holiness requires. The cross was his means of redeeming lost sinners and reconciling them to himself, but it was also a profound disclosure of his mercy.
It is, in Paul's words, an 'inexpressible gift' that leads us to wonder and worship, to praise and adore the God who has given himself to us in this way."
- David F. Wells
"Oh the folly of any mind that would explain God before obeying Him! That would map out the character of God instead of crying, Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do?"
- George MacDonald
" 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
- St. Paul, Galatians 5