David Morris

Religious affections

"We are nothing if we are not in earnest about our faith, and if our wills and inclinations are not intensely exercised. The religious life contains things too great for us to be lukewarm."

"We find that people exercise the affections in everything else but religion! When it comes to their worldly interest, their outward delights, their honor and reputation, and their natural relations, they have warm affection and ardent zeal. In these things their hearts are tender and sensitive, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, and much engrossed. They get deeply depressed at worldly losses, and highly excited at worldly successes. But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world! How dull then are their affections! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small. How can they sit and hear of the infinite height, depth, length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of His gift of His infinitely dear Son offered up as a sacrifice for the sins of men, and yet be so insensible and regardless! Can we suppose that the wise Creator implanted such a faculty of affections to be occupied in this way? How can any Christian who believes the truth of these things not realize this?"
Jonathan Edwards

But so often I don't "realize this," so frequently I am a perfect match for the grotesque caricature of the man painted vividly here. Oh God, incite my religious affections! Turn my gaze, my infatuation, my delight away from the small and selfish pursuit of me. Set my feet on higher ground where I will not slip. Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Burn that truth deep on my divided mind, my deceitful heart, and my meager religious affections.

Apelles