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But saints and angels behold that glory of God which…

“But saints and angels behold that glory of God which consists in the beauty of His holiness; and it is this sight only that will melt and humble the hearts of men, wean them from the world, draw them to God, and effectually change them. A sight of the awful greatness of God may overpower men's…” quote by Jonathan Edwards
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““But saints and angels behold that glory of God which consists in the beauty of His holiness; and it is this sight only that will melt and humble the hearts of men, wean them from the world, draw them to God, and effectually change them. A sight of the awful greatness of God may overpower men's strength, and be more than they can endure; but if the moral beauty of God be hid, the enmity of the heart will remain in its full strength. No love will be enkindled; the will, instead of being effectually gained, will remain inflexible. But the first glimpse of the moral and spiritual glory of God shining into the heart produces all these effects as it were with omnipotent power, which nothing can withstand.””

Jonathan Edwards

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Encountering God's profound holiness can overwhelm human strength, yet it can also transform hearts, drawing them toward divine love and humility.

In simple terms: Divine beauty can humble and change us.

Key Takeaway

Seek humility and transformation through divine encounter.

Themes

spirituality humility transformation divine faith

Mood

reverent hopeful inspirational

Type

theological philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • prayer
  • worship
  • meditation
  • spiritual counseling
  • religious education

Key Concepts

theology mystical experience

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does encountering greatness affect your humility?
  • What steps nurture openness to divine influence?
A Different Perspective

Human frailty may resist divine impact without openness.

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