--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Despair of ever being saved, \"except thou…" description: "\"Despair of ever being saved, \"except thou be born again,\" or of seeing God \"without holiness,\" or of having part in Christ except thou \"love him above ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/richard-baxter-2985_born_despair-of-ever-being-saved-except-thou_807799.png" --- # Despair of ever being saved, "except thou be born again,"… ![“Despair of ever being saved, "except thou be born again," or of seeing God "without holiness," or of having part in Christ except thou "love him above father, mother, or thy own life." This kind of despair is one of the first steps to heaven.” quote by Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/richard-baxter-2985_born_despair-of-ever-being-saved-except-thou_807799.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/richard-baxter-2985_born_despair-of-ever-being-saved-except-thou_807799.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/richard-baxter-2985_born_despair-of-ever-being-saved-except-thou_807799.png) > “Despair of ever being saved, "except thou be born again," or of seeing God "without holiness," or of having part in Christ except thou "love him above father, mother, or thy own life." This kind of despair is one of the first steps to heaven.” [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Despair over lacking holiness, yet recognizing that love for Christ surpasses all, leading toward salvation. **In simple terms:** Despair without holiness, love leads to heaven. Key Takeaway Cultivate love for Christ above all attachments. Themes spirituality salvation despair love Mood contemplative reverent Type theological spiritual When to use this quote - Personal prayer - church fellowship - scriptural study Key Concepts Christian doctrine personal piety theology of grace Questions to Reflect On - How does love transform spiritual despair? - What practices nurture holiness? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on despair may hinder faith growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Born again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born-again/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Holiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiness/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [“For today...Be kind to those in despair. 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