Quotes about Commitment
The author tells a story wherein a missionary friend of his was invited by unbelievers on a train ride to play cards. The friend declined, saying that he did not bring his hands with him. He explained to the astonished group that the hands attached to what they saw as his body belonged to the Lord, and he was thereby able to explain the Gospel.
— Watchman Nee
He who has ascended the cross and refuses to drink the vinegar mingled with gall is the one who knows the Lord. Many go up to the cross rather reluctantly, still thinking of drinking vinegar mingled with gall to alleviate their pain. All who say—"The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not drink it?"—will not drink the cup of vinegar mingled with gall.
— Watchman Nee
The life of faith can be called the life of the will since faith is impervious to how one feels but chooses through volition to obey God's mind.
— Watchman Nee
God's ways with us are all designed to establish in us this other principle, namely, that our work for Him springs out of our ministering to Him. I do not mean that we are going to do nothing; but the first thing for us must be the Lord Himself, not His work.
— Watchman Nee
She is doing this for Me. Real satisfaction is brought to the heart of God only when we are really, as people would think, wasting ourselves upon him. It seems as though we are giving too much and getting nothing—and that is the secret of pleasing God.
— Watchman Nee
The whole question is; How precious is he to us now? If we do not think much of him, then of course to give him anything at all, however small will seem to us a wicked waste. But when he is really precious to our souls nothing will be too good, nothing too costly for him; everything we have, our dearest, our most priceless treasure, we shall pour out upon him, and we shall not count it a shame to have done so.
— Watchman Nee
How many of Gods servants are used by Him, as we say in China, to build 12 feet of wall, only when they have done so to undo it all by themselves pulling down 15 feet!
— Watchman Nee
to offer one-tenth to God; but under the new covenant, ten-tenths are required.
— Watchman Nee
How many of us know that, because Christ is risen, we are therefore alive "unto God" and not unto ourselves? How many of us dare not use our time, or money, or talents as we would, because we realize they are the Lord's, not ours? How many of us have such a strong sense that we belong to Another that we dare not squander a shilling of our money, or an hour of our time, or any of our mental or physical powers?
— Watchman Nee
To love anything good, at any cost, is a bargain.
— Wendell Berry
A man's life is always dealing with permanence, that is the most dangerous kind of irresponsibility is to think of your doings as temporary.
— Wendell Berry
A Bible falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.
— Charles Spurgeon