--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is the gospel itself but a merciful…" description: "\"What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in which Christ's obedience is esteemed ours, and our sins laid upon him, wherein God, from being ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/richard-sibbes-7950_accepting_what-is-the-gospel-itself-but-a-merciful_394087.png" --- # What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in… ![“What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in which Christ's obedience is esteemed ours, and our sins laid upon him, wherein God, from being a judge, becomes our Father, pardoning our sins and accepting our obedience, though feeble and blemished? We are now brought to heaven under the…” quote by Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/richard-sibbes-7950_accepting_what-is-the-gospel-itself-but-a-merciful_394087.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/richard-sibbes-7950_accepting_what-is-the-gospel-itself-but-a-merciful_394087.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/richard-sibbes-7950_accepting_what-is-the-gospel-itself-but-a-merciful_394087.png) > “What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in which Christ's obedience is esteemed ours, and our sins laid upon him, wherein God, from being a judge, becomes our Father, pardoning our sins and accepting our obedience, though feeble and blemished? We are now brought to heaven under the covenant of grace by a way of love and mercy.” [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The gospel is a compassionate exchange where Christ’s obedience counts as ours, turning divine judgment into paternal forgiveness and love. **In simple terms:** Christ’s obedience replaces our own, making God a forgiving Father. Key Takeaway Embrace grace, see God as loving Father. Themes grace forgiveness faith obedience Mood reverent hopeful Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal repentance - spiritual counseling - church teaching - daily devotion Key Concepts covenant theology Christology soteriology Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing God as Father change your view of sin? - What does “merciful moderation” mean to you? A Different Perspective May overlook personal responsibility, leading to passivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Covenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covenant/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Moderation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) ## Related quotes > [Faith implies four things: self-renunciation, reliance with utter confidence on Christ, obedience, and a changed life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-implies-four-things-self-renunciation-reliance-with-utter/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Believers obey Christ as the one whom our obedience is accepted by God. Believers know all their duties are weak, imperfect, and unable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/believers-obey-christ-as-the-one-whom-our-obedience-is-accepted-by/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [“So my first point is simply: life in Christ has to do with obedience to his teaching.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/so-my-first-point-is-simply-life-in-christ-has-to-do-with-obedience/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [“When we refuse to obey God, when we are driven by our own desires, it is no surprise that rest and contentment elude us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-wilson/when-we-refuse-to-obey-god-when-we-are-driven-by-our-own-desires-it/) [Nancy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-wilson/) > [Only when you realize that the gospel has nothing to do with your obedience but with Christ's obedience for you, will you start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullian-tchividjian/only-when-you-realize-that-the-gospel-has-nothing-to-do-with-your/) [Tullian Tchividjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tullian-tchividjian/) > [All men who give up themselves in obedience unto God, they are received in Christ's obedience, viz. in the fulfilling of the obedience, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakob-bohme/all-men-who-give-up-themselves-in-obedience-unto-god-they-are/) [Jakob Bohme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakob-bohme/) > [God knows we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant of grace he requires no more than he gives, but gives what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/god-knows-we-have-nothing-of-ourselves-therefore-in-the-covenant-of/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is an essential covenant to make with the Lord. 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Theodore Tuttle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-theodore-tuttle/) > [The only compensation, gained through the influence of nongovernmental organizations, consisted in slightly broadening for private individuals the possibility of access and appeal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-cassin/the-only-compensation-gained-through-the-influence-of-nongovernmental/) [Rene Cassin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-cassin/) > [The average citizen expresses pride in the American Bill of Rights and then seeks to protect his real estate by restrictive covenants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-allen-overstreet/the-average-citizen-expresses-pride-in-the-american-bill-of-rights/) [Harry Allen Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-allen-overstreet/) > [White and shining virgin of all human virtues, ark of the covenant between earth and heaven, tender and strong companion partaking of the lion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/white-and-shining-virgin-of-all-human-virtues-ark-of-the-covenant/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [There is no more blessed way of living, than the life of faith based upon a covenant-keepin g God - to know that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-is-no-more-blessed-way-of-living-than-the-life-of-faith-based/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“God is worming out His and our adversaries, which He will do by little and little, till they be consumed. The covenant is seasonable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/god-is-worming-out-his-and-our-adversaries-which-he-will-do-by-little/) Various > [God will keep His promises to you as you honor your covenants with Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-m-stephens/god-will-keep-his-promises-to-you-as-you-honor-your-covenants-with-him/) [Carole M. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-m-stephens/) > [ T\]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-building-it-s-not-a-preaching/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) ## More by Richard Sibbes > [Let weak Christians know that a spark from heaven, though kindled under green wood that sobs and smokes, yet it will consume all at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/let-weak-christians-know-that-a-spark-from-heaven-though-kindled/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [Measure not God's love and favour by your own feeling. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/measure-not-god-s-love-and-favour-by-your-own-feeling-the-sun-shines/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/it-is-better-to-go-bruised-to-heaven-than-sound-to-hell/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-winter-prepares-the-earth-for-the-spring-so-do-afflictions/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [ The tenets of \[the Christian life\] seem paradoxes to carnal men; as first, that a Christian is the only freeman, and other men are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-tenets-of-the-christian-life-seem-paradoxes-to-carnal-men-as/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [See here, for our comfort, a sweet agreement of all three persons: the Father giveth a commission to Christ; the Spirit furnisheth and sanctifieth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/see-here-for-our-comfort-a-sweet-agreement-of-all-three-persons-the/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [God takes a safe course with His children, that they may not be condemned with the world, He permits the world to condemn them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/god-takes-a-safe-course-with-his-children-that-they-may-not-be/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [Sin is not so sweet in the committing as it is heavy and bitter in the reckoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/sin-is-not-so-sweet-in-the-committing-as-it-is-heavy-and-bitter-in/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [What coward would not fight when he is sure of victory?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/what-coward-would-not-fight-when-he-is-sure-of-victory/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [There is not a minute of time in all of our life but we must either be near to God or we will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/there-is-not-a-minute-of-time-in-all-of-our-life-but-we-must-either/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [The life of a Christian is wondrously ruled in this world, by the consideration and meditation of the life of another world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-life-of-a-christian-is-wondrously-ruled-in-this-world-by-the/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [When a man is to travel into a far country...one staff in his hand may comfortably support him, but a bundle of staves would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/when-a-man-is-to-travel-into-a-far-country-one-staff-in-his-hand-may/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [The wronged side is always the safest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-wronged-side-is-always-the-safest/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [If believers decay in their first love, or in some other grace, yet another grace may grow and increase, such as humility, their brokenheartedness;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/if-believers-decay-in-their-first-love-or-in-some-other-grace-yet/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [When we go to God by prayer, the devil knows we go to fetch strength against him, and therefore he opposes us all he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/when-we-go-to-god-by-prayer-the-devil-knows-we-go-to-fetch-strength/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) [Explore all 85 Richard Sibbes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! 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