Ability Quote by Increase Mather
“Let them no more say, God must do all, we can do nothing, and so encourage themselves to live in a careless neglect of God, and of their own souls, and salvation. Most certainly, altho' we cannot say, That if men improve their natural abilities as they ought to do, that grace will infallibly follow, yet there will not one sinner in all the reprobate world, stand forth at the day of judgment, and say, Lord, thou knowest I did all that possibly I could do, for the obtaining grace, and for all that, thou didst withhold it from me.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Great Awakening, 1740s, New England
The quote warns against fatalism, urging believers to actively improve themselves rather than rely solely on divine grace, emphasizing personal responsibility in salvation
In simple terms: Don't rely only on God; work to improve yourself
Key Takeaway
Take responsibility for your growth
Themes
faith
personal responsibility
salvation
effort
divine grace
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- religious practice
- ethical decision making
- overcoming complacency
Key Concepts
theodicy
free will
spiritual diligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance divine reliance with personal effort?
- What actions can you take to improve your spiritual life?
A Different Perspective
Faith alone may not guarantee salvation without personal effort
