C. H. Mackintosh Quotes on Christ, Grace, Faith and the Word
C. H. Mackintosh wrote under the initials "C.H.M." and spent his life turning readers away from themselves and toward Christ. His Notes on the Pentateuch and his short papers are full of lines that sum up a whole page in one sentence. That's why his quotes turn up in sermons and on church bulletins to this day.
Many C. H. Mackintosh quotes online come without a source. Every quotation below is copied exactly from his books in TheWay Library, with the book and chapter it comes from, so you can read each one in its setting. For his life story, see who was C. H. Mackintosh. For a guide to all his books, see C. H. Mackintosh books.
On Christ at the center
Mackintosh had one great subject. Every doctrine, every Bible story and every duty led him back to the Lord Jesus.
Christ is the soul, centre, and life of all doctrine.
The All-Sufficiency of Christ (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. I), Final Perseverance
The Spirit of God will never lead any one to look at himself or his work; but only and always at Christ.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XXIV
Christian reader, see carefully to it that you are not only saved by Christ, but also living on Him.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter XVI
We can only effectually serve Christ as we are enjoying Him.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter III
If Christ fills the heart, the world is not only driven out, but kept out.
Elijah the Tishbite (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. V), Jehovah's Demand and Satan's Objections
We do not get to Christ through the Church, but to the Church through Christ.
The Assembly of God (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. III), The Assembly of God
On grace and the gospel
He loved to set the sinner's ruin beside God's remedy, and he never let the remedy look small.
The more man sinks, the more God's grace rises.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapters XXIX–XXXI
He was not saved by his interest in, or his thoughts about, the blood, but simply by the blood.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter XII
The more clearly any one can prove me to be a sinner, the more clearly he establishes my title to the love of God and the work of Christ.
Notes on the Book of Leviticus, chapters XIII & XIV
We are not saved by personal holiness, but, thank God, we are saved to it.
Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Vol. II, chapter XVI
The fulness of God ever waits on an empty vessel, and a truly repentant soul is the empty vessel into which all the fulness and grace of God can flow in saving power.
The Great Commission (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. IV), The Commission Itself
God will never again refer to those sins which His own loving hand has cancelled by the blood of the Cross.
Elijah the Tishbite (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. V), The Three Crosses
On assurance
Many of his readers were anxious believers who couldn't tell if they were saved. He wrote to settle them.
To have the full assurance that my sins are all forgiven is the only foundation of true happiness.
The All-Sufficiency of Christ (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. I), Forgiveness of Sins
False theology tells me I can never be sure, God's Word tells me I can.
The All-Sufficiency of Christ (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. I), Forgiveness of Sins
I believe it; not because I feel it, but because God says it.
The Assembly of God (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. III), "Gilgal"
The believer in Jesus can never perish; he is as safe as the Saviour Himself.
Notes on the Book of Numbers, chapter XXXV
On faith
For Mackintosh, faith simply takes God at His word and leaves the outcome with Him.
Faith never talks of what it will do, but does what it can in the strength of the Lord.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XXII
Genuine faith, while it always renders us independent, never renders us indifferent.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XIV
Abraham had "not so much as to set his foot upon;" but he had God to enjoy, and that was enough.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XII
Faith does not reckon on circumstances, but on God.
Life and Times of David (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. VI), Introduction
Unbelief says we are not able; faith says, but God is well able.
Elijah the Tishbite (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. V), The Prophet in Retirement
God is always to be found; and faith is always sure to find Him.
The Lord's Coming (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. II), Discipleship in an Evil Day
Saving faith is believing what God says because He says it, and this faith is wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.
The Great Commission (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. IV), Part VII
On the Word of God
He lived through years when many doubted the Bible. He answered by pointing back to it, again and again.
Our senses may deceive us, but God's word never can.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XII
From the decision of the word of God there must be no appeal.
The All-Sufficiency of Christ (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. I), The Bible
Our only refuge, our only resource, our only strength, our only comfort, our only authority, is the precious Word of God.
Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Vol. II, chapter XIV
Man's reason can never understand the new birth; but the word of God produces it.
The All-Sufficiency of Christ (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. I), Regeneration: What Is It?
On guidance and trusting God
These may be his most-quoted lines. They come from a man who learned to wait on God one step at a time.
God never gives guidance for two steps at a time.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter XIV
Wait on God, in singleness of eye and sincerity of heart, and He will make your path as plain as a sunbeam.
Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Vol. I, Chapter II
Never interpret His love by your circumstances; but always interpret your circumstances by His love.
Life and Times of David (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. VI), Bethany
The Lord's presence is never so sweet as in moments of appalling difficulty.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter XIV
We gain nothing by our anxiety and planning; we only shut out God, and that is no gain.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapters XXVII–XXXV
To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways.
Notes on the Book of Genesis, chapter XXXII
On walking with God and serving Him
Last, some lines on daily obedience and Christian work.
Our only safeguard is to be much in the presence of God.
Notes on the Book of Exodus, chapter XXXII
A loving heart finds its very deepest joy in obeying all God's commandments; and nothing is of any value to God but what springs from a loving heart.
Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Vol. I, Chapter V
I should be the servant of Christ, not merely on Sunday, but from Monday morning to Saturday night.
The Lord's Coming (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. II), The Unequal Yoke
What we want is a heart in communion with the heart of God, the heart of Christ, and that will surely be a heart for souls.
The Great Commission (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. IV), Part VIII
The humbler the instrument, the more we see the power of God.
The Lord's Coming (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. II), Gideon (Judges vi.–viii)
God delights to be used; He never grows weary of ministering to the need of His people.
Notes on the Book of Numbers, chapter XX
How much better to be carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire, than to be taken away in a fit of impatience!
Elijah the Tishbite (Miscellaneous Writings, Vol. V), The Prophet's Rapture
Where to read more Mackintosh
These lines come from all twelve of his books in the library. If you want to read one book of his first, try Notes on the Book of Genesis, the shortest and easiest of his Notes on the Pentateuch. For short papers on assurance, try The All-Sufficiency of Christ. All his books are listed on the C. H. Mackintosh author page, and our reading guide explains how they fit together.