--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People who believe more must not be hard…" description: "\"“People who believe more must not be hard upon those believe less. Why? Because faith, ultimately, is not a virtue; it's a gift. If you want to believe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/146/timothy-keller-240_faith_people-who-believe-more-must-not-be-hard_422266.jpg" --- # People who believe more must not be hard upon those… ![“People who believe more must not be hard upon those believe less. Why? Because faith, ultimately, is not a virtue; it's a gift. If you want to believe but can't, stop looking inside. Go to Jesus and say, "help me believe." Go to him and say, "So you're the one who gives faith. I've been trying to…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/146/timothy-keller-240_faith_people-who-believe-more-must-not-be-hard_422266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/146/timothy-keller-240_faith_people-who-believe-more-must-not-be-hard_422266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/146/timothy-keller-240_faith_people-who-believe-more-must-not-be-hard_422266.jpg) > ““People who believe more must not be hard upon those believe less. Why? Because faith, ultimately, is not a virtue; it's a gift. If you want to believe but can't, stop looking inside. Go to Jesus and say, "help me believe." Go to him and say, "So you're the one who gives faith. I've been trying to work it out by reasoning, and thinking, and meditating, and going to church in hopes that a sermon will move me. I've been trying to get faith by myself. Now I see that you are the source of faith. Please, give it to me. " If you do that, you'll find that Jesus has been seeking you. He is the author of faith, the provider of faith, and the object of faith. (from King's Cross)”” [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith is presented as a divine gift rather than a personal achievement, urging reliance on Jesus for belief. **In simple terms:** Faith is a gift from God, not earned by effort. Key Takeaway Seek faith through prayer, not self‑effort. Themes faith spirituality humility Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - religious doubt - seeking guidance - prayer practice Key Concepts theology gift of faith dependence Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal effort with divine reliance? - What does it mean to be a recipient of faith? A Different Perspective May overlook personal responsibility in spiritual growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ## Related quotes > [My main source for faith-based stuff is mostly the Bible, and a childhood with a much, much higher-than-median exposure to theological thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/my-main-source-for-faith-based-stuff-is-mostly-the-bible-and-a/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [The source of faith is the Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-pringle/the-source-of-faith-is-the-word-of-god/) [Phil Pringle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-pringle/) > [“The illumination of   our minds by the Holy Spirit belongs to our renewal, and thus faith   flows from regeneration as from its source; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/the-illumination-of-our-minds-by-the-holy-spirit-belongs-to-our/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“He reaches over and touches my necklace. "You still have it. That gives me faith." "Faith in what?" "God, I suppose. No, I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baker-kline/he-reaches-over-and-touches-my-necklace-you-still-have-it-that-gives/) [Christina Baker Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baker-kline/) > [They want explanation, not faith; God gives them faith as the explanation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-wood/they-want-explanation-not-faith-god-gives-them-faith-as-the/) [Geoffrey Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-wood/) > [God doesnt give us faith so we can avoid trouble. He gives us faith so we can be steady and stable when we go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/god-doesnt-give-us-faith-so-we-can-avoid-trouble-he-gives-us-faith-so/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [The one thing that gives you faith is the fact that people can be apart physically but they can still have an emotional connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/the-one-thing-that-gives-you-faith-is-the-fact-that-people-can-be/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [Religion indeed enlightens, terrifies, subdues; it gives faith, it inflicts remorse, it inspires resolutions, it draws tears, it inflames devotion, but only for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-newman/religion-indeed-enlightens-terrifies-subdues-it-gives-faith-it/) [John Henry Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-newman/) > [Whatever may be the mysteries of life and death, there is one mystery which the cross of Christ reveals to us, and that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kingsley/whatever-may-be-the-mysteries-of-life-and-death-there-is-one-mystery/) [Charles Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kingsley/) > [It sure gives me faith and a wonderful feeling to know how many fans and friends are wanting me well again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patsy-cline/it-sure-gives-me-faith-and-a-wonderful-feeling-to-know-how-many-fans/) [Patsy Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patsy-cline/) > [Faith is the accepting of what God gives. Faith is the believing what God says. Faith is the trusting to what Jesus has done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/faith-is-the-accepting-of-what-god-gives-faith-is-the-believing-what/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“The other approach, probably more widely appealing in contemporary Western culture, is so to fix on the painful circumstances of life that one gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-w-l-moberly/the-other-approach-probably-more-widely-appealing-in-contemporary/) [R.W.L. Moberly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-w-l-moberly/) > [Goals give purpose. Purpose gives faith. Faith gives courage. Courage gives enthusiasm. Enthusiasm gives energy. Energy gives life. Life lifts you over the bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-richards/goals-give-purpose-purpose-gives-faith-faith-gives-courage-courage/) [Bob Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-richards/) > [“Grace means God gives. Faith means I receive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-lewis-w-gregory/grace-means-god-gives-faith-means-i-receive/) Dr. Lewis W Gregory > [“‎"Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/do-more-than-belong-participate-do-more-than-care-help-do-more-than/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) ## More by Timothy Keller > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-more-you-rejoice-in-your-own-forgiveness-the-quicker-you-will-be/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Evangelism will come organically in friendship if we don’t let our pride, fears, and pessimism cause us to hide our faith and heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/evangelism-will-come-organically-in-friendship-if-we-don-t-let-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“The coming of the messianic King occurs in two stages. At his first coming, he saved us from the penalty of sin and gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-coming-of-the-messianic-king-occurs-in-two-stages-at-his-first/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [ “24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: \[Alexis de\] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the-following-alexis-de/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“To stay away from Christianity because part of the Bible's teaching is offensive to you assumes that if there is a God he wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/to-stay-away-from-christianity-because-part-of-the-bible-s-teaching/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-the-preaching-of-our-ministers-and-the-practice-of-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“of temple, presence, and sacrifice; of covenant and faithfulness; of kingdom and victory. When we seek to communicate the gospel to a particular culture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/of-temple-presence-and-sacrifice-of-covenant-and-faithfulness-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Finally, you are ready to launch your church. Begin by developing action steps and goals that can be used as benchmarks to track your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/finally-you-are-ready-to-launch-your-church-begin-by-developing/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If you are a child of God, you don’t lose your status if you have a bad week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-a-child-of-god-you-don-t-lose-your-status-if-you-have-a/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [God's salvation does not come in response to a changed life. A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-s-salvation-does-not-come-in-response-to-a-changed-life-a-changed/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“When anything in life is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth, it is essentially an ‘idol,’ something you are actually worshiping. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/when-anything-in-life-is-an-absolute-requirement-for-your-happiness/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/suffering-is-the-stripping-of-our-hope-in-finite-things-therefore-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Christ will do everything for you or nothing. He's either all of your righteousness or none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/christ-will-do-everything-for-you-or-nothing-he-s-either-all-of-your/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-we-give-god-things-in-hope-that-they-ll-earn-us-blessings-we-re/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Explore all 843 Timothy Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“People who believe more must not be hard upon those believe less. Why? Because faith, ultimately, is not a virtue; it's a gift. If you want to believe but can't, stop looking inside. Go to Jesus and say, \"help me believe.\" Go to him and say, \"So you're the one who gives faith. 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