Action Quote by Jonathan Edwards
“Religion, in its purity, is not so much a pursuit as a temper; or rather it is a temper, leading to the pursuit of all that is high and holy. Its foundation is faith; its action, works; its temper, holiness; its aim, obedience to God in improvement of self, and benevolence to men.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: “The Nature of Religion,” 1735
Religion is a temperament that drives the pursuit of holiness, rooted in faith, expressed through works, and aimed at obedience and benevolence.
In simple terms: Religion is an inner drive toward holy actions guided by faith.
Key Takeaway
Align inner temperament with outward deeds.
Themes
faith
holiness
obedience
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal devotion
- community service
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does temperament shape your spiritual goals?
- Can faith and works be balanced?
A Different Perspective
Strict adherence may ignore personal doubts.
![“[T]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government. . . . and I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence.” quote by Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d3/noah-webster-8440_bases_t-he-christian-religion-in-its-purity-is_381346.jpg)
![“As God delights in his own beauty, he must necessarily delight in the creature's holiness which is a conformity to and participation of it, as truly as [the] brightness of a jewel, held in the sun's beams, is a participation or derivation of the sun's brightness, though immensely less in degree.” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e3/jonathan-edwards-770_beam_as-god-delights-in-his-own-beauty-he-mus_393914.jpg)
![“But it is doubtless true, and evident from [the] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection, and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole…” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fd/jonathan-edwards-770_affection_but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-fro_82879.jpg)
