Luther on Grace and Peace

"These two words, grace and peace, do contain in them the whole sum of Christianity. Grace containeth the remission of sins; peace a quiet and joyful conscience. For peace of conscience can never be had, unless sin first be forgiven. But sin is not forgiven for the fulfilling of the law; for no man is able to satisfy the law. The law doth rather show sin, accuse and terrify the conscience, declare the wrath of God, and drive to desperation. Much less is sin taken away by the works and inventions of men, but sin is rather increased by works. So there is no means to take away sin, but grace alone. Therefore Paul in all the greetings of his epistles, sets grace and peace against sin and an evil conscience."

Martin Luther - "Commentary on Galatians" - Kregel (1979) - p6.

Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton on Sin Conciousness

"Religion rubs our noses in the past to keep us humble. Reviewing the sinfulness of our past in order to become humble is a perversion. It actually creates shame and shame is a poor counterfeit of humility. Shame is the fruit of humiliation that works against the truth. To maintain conciousness of our sinful past to help us become more humble is the cruelty of a religious spirit; it requires us to keep something in our minds that isn't in God's. In reality it is much more humbling to live in the liberty of unearned forgiveness. When we are forgiven the King gives us permission to live as though we had never sinned".

Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton - "The Supernatural Ways of Royalty - Discovering your rights and privilidges of being a son or daughter of God" - Destiny Image Publication (2006) - (p52).

Isi de Gersigny on the Spirit of Breakthrough

"A few weeks ago Isi saw the spirit of breakthrough - stood tall - like a Masaui warrior with a sword - the sword of breakthrough. He comes to give people breakthrough - breakthrough in their finances, in their relationships, physical breakthrough. God is sending His angels and He is giving His prophetic seers the ability to see them".

Fini de Gersigny - "On Worship" - NCMI T.V - accessed Thursday 26th March 2009.

Rob Rufus on City Church International

"This is not a place where we count sins against you".

Rob Rufus - "Sunday Morning Session" - City Church International - Hong Kong - Sunday 22nd June 2008.

David Wilkerson on "Cut Them Off"

"When Jesus says, “Pluck it out—cut it off,” he’s talking to Jewish listeners first about their confidence in their own good works. The hand, foot and eye all represent flesh—instruments of independence, by which man goes his own way, relying on self-will and human effort to rid himself of sinful bondages. Christ is saying to such a person, “Your eye is focused on the wrong thing. You’re looking at your own ability and power. Therefore, pluck out your eye. You have to rid your body, mind and heart of all such evil thinking. Renounce it, surgically remove it. Cut off all hope of offering to God anything of your own merit or goodness. Lust and offences must be cut off—but not by your hands. It is the work of the Spirit.

“Then simply run into my arms. Humble yourself like a child by embracing my victory on the cross. Commit to a life of total devotion and dependence on me. Because of my work at Calvary, you are no longer your own. I have bought you. My Spirit will fulfill my demand for holiness in you.”

David Wilkerson - "CUT THEM OFF" - David Wilkerson Today blog - Wednesday, March 25, 2009

C J Mahaney and Larry Tomczak on What the Church Should Be

"God could have taken the stars and illuminated the sky by spelling out "Jesus is alive!". Instead He left the responsibility to us ... to illuminate this area with our corporate life. Unbelievers see Jesus in His fullness through the collective life of His people practically joined together by His Spirit - the mystical (invisible) Body of Christ becomes visible for all to see.

In the early church, a kind of rhythm of life was evident in which Christians gathered together daily to love, serve, instruct, pray and personally care for one another. Then they would go out into the world again to let the warmth and glow of their love-filled lives overflow into a spontaneous Christian witness that draw love-starved unbelievers.

The concern of Christians for each other left the doubting world drooling with envy. It prompted the much-quoted remark of a pagan writer, "How these Christians love one another".

Larry Tomczak and C J Mahaney - "Gathering of Believers Family News" - July 1977.

Jerry Bridges on Salvation Grace and Living Grace

"My observation of Christendom is that most of us tend to base our personal relationship with God on our performance instead of on His grace. If we've performed well - whatever "well" is in our opinion - then we expect God to bless us. If we haven't done so well, our expectations are reduced accordingly. In this sense we live by works rather than by grace. We are saved by grace but we are living by the "sweat" of our own performance".

Jerry Bridges - "Transforming Grace - Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love" - NavPress (2008) - (pp 9-10).