Barren Land Blurbs 2/25/12: Quotes by Pilgrims, for Pilgrims

It's a new Barren Land Blog feature!  Barren Land Blurbs: Quotes by Pilgrims, for Pilgrims.  I've been studying John 1:16 this week, and so these quotes are weighted towards that text.

This spring is inexhaustible, it is full of grace and truth from God, it never loses anything, no matter how much we draw, but remains an infinite fountain of all grace and truth; the more you draw from it, the more abundantly it gives of the water that springs into eternal life.  Just as the sun is not darkened by the whole world enjoying its light, and could, indeed, light up ten worlds; just as 100,000 lights might be lit from one light and not detract from it; just as a learned man is able to make a thousand others learned, and the more he gives, the more he has- so is Christ, our Lord, an infinite source of all grace, so that if the whole world would draw enough grace and truth from it to make the world all angels, yet it would not lose a drop; the fountain always runs over, full of grace. -Martin Luther, quoted in R. Kent Hughes, John, p. 39.

The common policy of our churches is that of great prudence. We do not, as a rule, attempt anything beyond our strength. We measure means, and calculate possibilities with economical accuracy; then we strike off a large discount for contingencies, and a still larger percentage as provision for our ease, and so we accomplish little because we have no idea of doing much. I would to God we had more "pluck." I know of no fitter word to describe what I mean; though the word may better suit the camp than the church, we will for once borrow from the barracks. Bear in mind that there is nothing like courage even in ordinary things. Sir Richard Sutton, when he was ambassador to Prussia, was taken by Frederick the Great to see his regiment of giants, every one of whom stood six feet six in his shoes. The king said to him, "Do you think any regiment in the English army could fight my men, man for man?" Sir Richard answered, "Please your majesty, I do not know whether the same number could beat your giants, but I know that half the number would try at it." -Charles Spurgeon, An All Round Ministry, p. 123.

Grace is God’s love coming to sinners.  It is God’s ultimate love communicated to us in Christ.  Christ overflows with grace.  We need to hold that truth before us as reality.  It is not something just to discuss, not a mere theological nicety, but truth.  Christ wants to overflow in the lives of those who do not know him.  Likewise he wants believers continually to overflow with his love and grace. R. Kent Hughes, John, p. 36-7.