# “The operating principle of the gospel” by Timothy Keller

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2009/11/21/the-operating-principle-of-the-gospel-by-timothy-keller/
- Published: 2009-11-21T20:56:14-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“There is a great gulf between the understanding that God accepts us because of 
our efforts and the understanding that God accepts us because of what Jesus has 
done. Religion operates on the principle, ‘I obey– therefore I am accepted by God.’
But the operating principle of the gospel is ‘I am accepted by God through what 
Christ has done– therefore I obey.'”

–Timothy Keller, _[The Reason for God](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594483493?tag=toletaupanre-20)_(
New York: Dutton, 2008), 179-180.

More quotes from [Tim Keller](https://tollelege.net/category/tim-keller/) · More
on [Justification](https://tollelege.net/category/justification/)