Chris Hodges Quotes & Sayings

If religions have one thing in common, it's that they require us to do something to get to God. All except Christianity. So many people, including many Christians, believe that God requires us to make changes before we can approach him. But that's not true. We don't get our lives together in order to get to God. We go to God to get our lives together! So what are we supposed to do? The answer is in God's first cup of promise. He said, "I will bring you out. — Chris Hodges

Probably one of the most surprising discoveries I've made while studying the Bible is that God does not condone religion. It's a consistent theme throughout scripture. Religion is man's external effort to please God. But God doesn't care about all my efforts to get it right. He wants more, something far greater. — Chris Hodges

You can't make a difference unless you are different. — Chris Hodges

God wants his power in every person's life. He loves taking ordinary people and using them to do extraordinary things. It didn't take long, however, for Christians to make ministry a profession and hire a few folks to lead their churches. They called these people clergy and soon the rest of the body of Christ sat passively on the sidelines and watched. They could be part of a "church" without any real sacrifice or personal commitment to the well-being of the community. — Chris Hodges

When people confront the past - their sins, wounds, and curses - they experience amazing joy, freedom, and spiritual growth. They move from just the assurance of their salvation to an experience of divine deliverance. — Chris Hodges

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). — Chris Hodges

Here's the real secret: you can fulfill the commands of the Bible better by falling in love with God than by trying to obey him. It's not that your obedience isn't significant or relevant; it's simply not the center of the wheel. No, the hub of your life is your relationship with God. Your behavior and obedience radiate like spokes from the center of your life and allow you to roll forward. When you try to make your eternal behavior the hub on which you turn, you get stuck. Forward motion must be fueled by love. — Chris Hodges

The problem with baggage is that it affects other people's trips. — Chris Hodges

Sometimes it seems safer to have just enough God to get to heaven, but not so much that he radically alters our lives. — Chris Hodges

Because of our selfishness and inclination toward personal comfort and convenience, we'd rather not have to deal with constant change and uncertainty. We have difficulty reconciling the goodness of God with the mystery of his ways. — Chris Hodges

There seems to be something in our human nature that draws us away from a life-giving relationship with Jesus because it feels more comfortable to focus on what to do and not do. That tendency robs us of real joy and peace. — Chris Hodges

Worship is love expressed. — Chris Hodges

We usually expect too much from people. Often we judge them based on their actions even as we judge ourselves based on our intentions. — Chris Hodges

Temptation is a test of your relationship, not your self-control. — Chris Hodges

Paul was focusing on what was happening in him, not to him. Likewise, we can be sure that when something is happening to us, God is doing something in us--something that will shape us for eternity. — Chris Hodges

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. PSALM 138:2 — Chris Hodges