CQOD MOBILE Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Bernard: fear and self-interest
Feast of Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Teacher, 1153 Commemoration of William & Catherine Booth, Founders of the Salvation Army, 1912 & 1890
Meditation:
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Quotation:
Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire. Sometimes a slave may do God’s work; but because he does not toil voluntarily, he remains in bondage. So a mercenary may serve God, but because he puts a price on his service, he is enchained by his own greediness. For where there is self-interest there is isolation; and such isolation is like the dark corner of a room where dust and rust befoul. Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives.... Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153), On Loving God, CCEL, ch. 12
(see the book)See also 2 Tim. 1:7; Isa. 55:7; Matt. 10:7-10; 18:3; Rom. 8:15; 1 Cor. 9:18; 2 Cor. 11:9; 1 Thess. 2:9; Jas. 1:13-14; 1 John 4:18 Quiet time reflection:Lord, You have driven out my self-concern. See yesterdayTweet this
Compilation ©Copyright, 1996-2024, by Robert McAnally Adams,
Curator, Christian Quotation of the Day with Robert Douglas, principal contributor
Send comments to curator@cqod.com.
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