“The church and the Christian should not be interested only, or even primarily, in the general social effects of salvation, but in the fact that men and women should be brought nearer to God, and should live for his glory. When the church gives the world the impression that she is interested in revival only in order to heal certain moral sores, she is denying her own message. I am not primarily interested in revival in order that the streets of our cities may be cleansed; I am interested in it because I believe that for any man not to glorify God is an insult to God. I know that such a man is held bound, and my desire for him is that he may come to know God and glorify him in his daily life. The church is not interested primarily in the social consequences of irreligion. As I read my history, I see that it was because our fathers and grandfathers made that very error, towards the end of the Victorian era, that Christendom is in its present position. They became so interested in social conditions that they forgot this primary truth. They thought that if everybody was kept in order by certain Acts of Parliament, all would be well. But that is morality, and not Christianity.”
– Sanctified Through the Truth, 17.
Modern Reformation: “Wish List for the 21st Century” Jan./Feb. 2000 Vol. 9 No. 1 Page number(s): 36.
Diana Lovegrove says
Well said, Martyn Lloyd-Jones! May God save us from morality alone, and bring us into the riches of Christianity! Love to you, sweet Christina ♥
Barbara Thayer says
I love Martyn Lloyd-Jones! What he says is so true. If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat the same errors. I pray the church will awaken to the call of preaching the Gospel clearly so that men might find salvation. Thank you for sharing this Christina.
persis says
“They became so interested in social conditions that they forgot this primary truth.”
Bingo! Or rather amen!
david bolton says
The centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ in all things to the glory, pleasure and satisfaction of the Father must ever be our center. All things must be unto this end from preaching the gospel, to helping the poor. May we never substitute a secondary emphasis for that which is supreme, or we will eventually reap the bitter fruit of spiritual idolatry. This is a needed word for this generation.
lambskinny says
Hard, but true words. Nevertheless, God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. To do less is also an insult to God. Blessings.
Hollie says
Excellent quote. Love you & pray you are doing well!
Petra Hefner says
Oh, this is so good. If I had drums, I’d beat them now! Never mind, we do have twitter and fb. 😉
Becky says
WOW!
I am pushed to think how we sometimes forget this right at home; and all of a sudden are caught in a morality roundabout instead of living the gospel.
Great quote.
Love you!
Elizabeth DeBarros says
Excellent piece, Christina, and timely!
“When the church gives the world the impression that she is interested in revival only in order to heal certain moral sores, she is denying her own message. I am not primarily interested in revival in order that the streets of our cities may be cleansed; I am interested in it because I believe that for any man not to glorify God is an insult to God.”
Love,
-E