# The Way to God and How to Find It — Themes > Major themes in The Way to God and How to Find It by D. L. Moody. ## The Love of God The book emphasizes that God's love is the foundation of salvation and that many people mistakenly believe God hates them, which keeps them from coming to Him. ### Where it surfaces - [To the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/to-the-reader): Moody identifies the Love of God as the source of all gifts of grace, and the starting point of his instruction. - [I: “Love That Passeth Knowledge”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/i-love-that-passeth-knowledge): The central theme of the chapter, emphasizing that God's love is unchangeable, unfailing, and distinct from human love. It is a love that pursues sinners and is stronger than even a mother's love. ## The Necessity of the New Birth Moody stresses that being 'born again' is essential for entering the kingdom of God, and that this spiritual regeneration is a work of God, not human effort. ### Where it surfaces - [II: The Gateway Into the Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/ii-the-gateway-into-the-kingdom): Central theme: without being born again, one cannot enter the kingdom of God. ## True Repentance The book clarifies that repentance is not merely feeling sorry, fasting, or breaking one sin, but a complete turning around—a change of mind and direction away from sin toward God. ### Where it surfaces - [Repentance and Restitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vi-repentance-and-restitution): Moody defines repentance as a complete change of mind and direction, not merely fear, feeling, or remorse. It involves turning from all sin and producing fruit. - [IX: Backsliding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/ix-backsliding): Emphasizes the need to acknowledge iniquity and turn back to God as the first step of restoration. ## Faith and Belief in Christ Salvation is presented as coming through believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and personal Saviour, not through works or religious rituals. ### Where it surfaces - [I: “Love That Passeth Knowledge”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/i-love-that-passeth-knowledge): The chapter encourages readers to approach Christ with simple faith, like the little girl who went to Abraham Lincoln, believing that He will hear and answer their prayers for salvation. - [II: The Gateway Into the Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/ii-the-gateway-into-the-kingdom): Salvation comes through believing in Christ, as illustrated by the serpent in the wilderness. - [The Two Classes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iii-the-two-classes): Faith is defined as knowledge, assent, and appropriation, and is essential for receiving eternal life. - [Words of Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iv-words-of-counsel): Moody emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Christ, and he uses examples of sudden conversions to illustrate that belief is an immediate act. - [A Divine Saviour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/v-a-divine-saviour): Moody encourages readers to believe in Christ's divinity as essential for salvation, warning against the deception of the enemy. - [Repentance and Restitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vi-repentance-and-restitution): True repentance is linked to believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our offences and raised for our justification. ## The Divinity of Christ Moody argues that Jesus Christ is either God incarnate or a deceiver, and that His divine nature is central to the Christian faith and to salvation. ### Where it surfaces - [A Divine Saviour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/v-a-divine-saviour): The entire chapter is devoted to proving that Jesus Christ is God, using scripture and logic to counter objections. ## Assurance of Salvation The book teaches that believers can and should know with certainty that they have eternal life, and that this assurance is essential for effective Christian service. ### Where it surfaces - [The Way to God and How to Find It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/the-way-to-god-and-how-to-find-it): Moody explains how believers can have confidence in their salvation through faith in Christ. - [The Two Classes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iii-the-two-classes): Believers can have boldness in the day of judgment because they have passed from death to life. - [Words of Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iv-words-of-counsel): Moody reassures believers that God is able to keep them from falling, citing verses like Jude 24 and Isaiah 41:10, and encourages trust in God's keeping power. - [Assurance of Salvation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vii-assurance-of-salvation): Central theme: believers can know they have eternal life, and doubt is dishonoring to God. ## Backsliding and Restoration A major theme is the danger of turning away from God after conversion, and the loving call for backsliders to return, with God's willingness to forgive and restore. ### Where it surfaces - [IX: Backsliding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/ix-backsliding): The chapter focuses on the reality of backsliding and God's promise to heal and restore those who return. ## Christ as the Way and Light Christ is portrayed as the only path to God, the light that dispels spiritual darkness, and the guide who leads believers through life's wilderness. ### Where it surfaces - [To the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/to-the-reader): Moody points to Christ as 'the Way, the Truth and the Life,' the only way to be just with God. - [The Way to God and How to Find It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/the-way-to-god-and-how-to-find-it): The chapter centers on Christ as the exclusive way to God, the light that guides seekers to salvation. - [Christ All and in All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/viii-christ-all-and-in-all): Moody emphasizes that Christ is the only way and the light that dispels spiritual darkness. ## Human Inability and Divine Grace The book emphasizes that humans cannot save themselves or overcome sin through their own strength, and that salvation is entirely a gift of God's grace. ### Where it surfaces - [I: “Love That Passeth Knowledge”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/i-love-that-passeth-knowledge): Highlights the contrast between human love, which is conditional and often fails, and divine grace, which is offered freely to sinners despite their unworthiness. - [II: The Gateway Into the Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/ii-the-gateway-into-the-kingdom): Human effort cannot achieve salvation; it is a work of the Spirit. - [The Two Classes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iii-the-two-classes): All have sinned and fall short of God's glory, but grace is available through faith in Christ. - [Words of Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/iv-words-of-counsel): Moody addresses the feeling of having no strength, pointing to Romans 5:6 that Christ died for the ungodly, and emphasizes that salvation is a gift received by grace. - [Repentance and Restitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vi-repentance-and-restitution): Moody emphasizes that it is God's goodness, not our badness, that leads to repentance, and that restitution is necessary before receiving forgiveness. - [Assurance of Salvation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_to_god_and_how_to_find_it_se/chapters/vii-assurance-of-salvation): God has made provision for believers' sins through Christ the Advocate, and forgiveness is complete. 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