“We have a deep sense that we’ve got to hide our true self or at least control what people know about us. Secretly we feel that we aren’t acceptable, that we have to prove to ourselves and other people that we’re worthy, lovable, valuable.”

“You see, we’re all trying to cleanse ourselves, or to cover our uncleanness by compensatory good deeds. But it will not work. The prophet Jeremiah puts this very vividly: “ ‘Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me,’ declares the Sovereign LORD” (Jeremiah 2:22). Outside-in cleansing cannot deal with the problem of the human heart.”

“God clothed Jesus in our sin. He took our penalty, our punishment so that we, like Joshua, the high priest, can get what Revelation 19:7-8 pictures: “Let us rejoice and be glad…. Fine linen, bright and clean, is given [to us] to wear.” Pure linen—perfectly clean—without stain or blemish. Hebrews 13 says Jesus was crucified outside the gate where bodies are burned—the garbage heap, a place of absolute uncleanliness—so that we can be made clean. Through Jesus Christ, at infinite cost to himself, God has clothed us in costly clean garments. It cost him his blood. And it is the only thing that can deal with the problem of your heart”

Excerpt From: Keller, Timothy. “King’s Cross.” PENGUIN group, 2010-12-28. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kings-cross/id403603496?mt=11