This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus. - John Newton

O my Savior, Shield, and Sun, Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend, Every precious name in one; I will love thee without end.

I endeavored to renounce society, that I might avoid temptation. But it was a poor religion; so far as it prevailed, only tended to make me gloomy, stupid, unsociable, and useless.

We have no Scriptural evidence that we serve the Lord at all, any farther than we find a habitual desire and aim to serve him wholly.
He is gracious to our imperfections and
weakness; yet he requires all the heart, and
will not be served by halves, nor accept what is performed by a divided heart.