Sanctification-Part 4~Practically Applying What We've Learned

At the closing of his chapter on sanctification, Ryle explains some practical applications of what we've studied thus far.

1) These reflections should wake us up to "the perilous state of many professing Christians." Remember Hebrews 12:14, "Without holiness no man shall see the LORD." When we consider that "without sanctification there is no salvation," we must acknowledge that there is an "enormous amount of so-called religion" that is "perfectly useless." We should be grieved at the thought of so many "church-goers" who are walking the "broad road that leads to destruction."

2) Our knowledge of sanctification should encourage us to "make sure work of our own condition," and not rest until knowing we are sanctified. Ryle asks us to consider, "What are our tastes and choices and likings and inclinations? This is the great telling question. It matters little what we wish, and what we hope, and what we desire to be before we die. Where are we now? What are we doing?" (emphasis mine)

3) We must remember that sanctification begins with Christ. We must come to him declaring our "utter need," and cry out to Him for "mercy and grace."

4) "If we would grow in holiness and become more sanctified, we must continually go on as we began, and be ever making fresh applications to Christ." For He is "from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:16) (As Matthew Henry sums up that verse....Christ is our Head and gives influence and nourishment to every member.)

Ryle admonishes us to live out our faith daily and draw fully from the promised "grace and strength which Jesus has laid up for His people." This, he states, is the "grand secret of progressive sanctification." For, "believers who seem at a standstill are generally neglecting close communion with Jesus, and so grieving the Spirit." Ryle reminds us of Christ's prayer, "Sanctify them," the last night before His crucifixion, and Christ's infinite willingness "to help everyone who by faith applies to Him for help, and desires to be made more holy." (emphasis mine)

This last statement caused me to reflect about my own and our children's desire for holiness--are we earnestly praying about it...is there a passion, a hunger about being holy because He is holy?

5) Finally, Ryle cautions us not to expect perfection here on earth. "Let us not expect too much from our own hearts here below. At our best we shall find in ourselves daily cause for humiliation, and discover that we are needy debtors to mercy and grace every hour. The more light we have, the more we shall see our own imperfection. Sinners we were when we began, sinners we shall find ourselves as we go on; renewed, pardoned, justified--yet sinners to the very last. Our absolute perfection is yet to come, and the expectation of it is one reason why we should long for heaven." Amen!

Of course, anyone following along with our reading of Holiness thus far knows that Ryle's statement is in no way an endorsement of being slothful in our walk with the Lord, but rather it is a frank assessment of the battle we have while still in this sinful world and in our sinful bodies.

We'll next be looking at Chapter 3 (ok...can you believe there's so much more to study...we're only now covering chapter 3!) which addresses "Holiness."