Colossians 1:3-6
We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4. for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones 5. because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel, 6. that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth, - Colossians 1: 3-6
.... So that, if a man only abstains from doing evil in order to avoid punishment, Non pasces in cruce corvos, [Thou shalt not be hanged.], saith the Pagan; there, "thou hast thy reward." But even he will not allow such a harmless man as this to be so much as a good heathen. If, then, any man, from the same motive, viz., to avoid punishment, to avoid the loss of his friends, or his gain, or his reputation, should not only abstain from doing evil, but also do ever so much good; yea, and use all the means of grace; yet we could not with any propriety say, this man is even almost a Christian. If he has no better principle in his heart, he is only a hypocrite altogether.
- Dr. John Wesley
