By Mary Wilder Tileston
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
ROMANS 8:9
WHAT profits it that He is risen,
If dead in sins thou yet dost lie?
If yet thou cleavest to thy prison,
What profit that He dwells on high?
His triumph will avail thee nought,
If thou hast ne'er the battle fought.
LYRA GERMANICA
MANY, who often hear the gospel of Christ, are yet but little affected, because they are void of the Spirit of Christ.
But whosoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to make all his life like in its beauty unto His.
What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity?
Surely, high words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God.
I had rather feel compunction, than understand the definition thereof.
If thou didst know the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would all that profit thee without the love of God and without grace?
THOMAS À. KEMPIS