"Many love to have only the outward form of godliness and could not care less about evangelical privileges. They do not seek the marrow of divine promises which is the very life of communion with Christ. They are not concerned whether they have spiritual peace, refreshing comforts, unspeakable joys or the blessed peace of assurance. Without some taste and experience of these things, the Christian life is heartless, lifeless and useless and religion itself becomes a lifeless corpse. The peace which some enjoy is mere stupidity. This is a great evidence of the power of unbelief that we can be happy without experiencing the reality of Christ’s presence in us by his Spirit. We can be quite happy without any of the joy, peace, comfort or assurance which are promised in the gospel.
"How can we possibly believe the promises concerning heaven, immortality and glory, when we do not believe the promises concerning our present life? And how can we be trusted when we say we believe these promises but make no effort to experience them ourselves? It is just here that men deceive themselves. It is not that they do not want the gospel privileges of joy, peace and assurance, but they are not prepared to repent of their evil attitudes and careless life-styles Some have even attempted to reconcile these things, and ruined their souls. But without the diligent exercise of the grace of obedience, we shall never enjoy the graces of joy, peace, and assurance."
-John Owen
HT: Kevin Woodell
Thoughts on the Way Home
