Holiness-Chapter 4 Part 4

This book has some of the longest chapters I've ever read! There seem to be several chapters in each chapter. Of course, there is so much "meat" in each chapter that you have to chew slowly. Otherwise you'll miss so much of what Ryle is saying. Nonetheless, we'll finish this book, even if it takes us a year! :)

In this part of Chapter 4, Ryle closes "The Fight" with reminders of how to practically apply what we've read thus far.

1) Don't waste your life struggling hard for the rewards of this world. You need to know Jesus and fight the Christian fight, knowing you'll have an everlasting liberty.

2) If you're already a seasoned soldier, remember these things.

a) We must always put on the whole armor of God--we can't afford to lay even a piece of it aside.

b) Don't entangle yourself with the affairs of this world. Keep your focus on pleasing your Saviour.

c) Remember those who "seemed good soldiers for a little season, and talked loudly of what they would do, and yet turned back disgracefully in the day of battle."

***This is a most disturbing transformation to observe in the lives of those we have known to profess to know Christ. To watch them willfully walk away from the very truths they once grasped, to live lives so contrary to their profession, and yet, in some cases, still proclaim to know Christ, is heartbreaking. This Christian life truly is a battle, and so many surrender so easily to the temporary pleasures of this world in exchange for their souls. Ryle's constant urging to be on guard shouldn't be taken lightly. All we have to do is look around and see so many whose lives are a warning to us....but for the grace of God...

d) Remember "that the eye of our loving Saviour is upon us, morning, noon, and night. He will never suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, for He suffered Himself, being tempted. He knows what batles and conflicts are, for He Himself was assaulted by the prince of this world. Having such a High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."

***I was just studying the other day the very passage that Ryle refers to here, Hebrews 4: 14. Matthew Henry explains this "holding fast to our profession"......"Let us never deny Him, never be ashamed of Him before men. Let us hold fast the enlightening doctrines of Christianity in our heads, the enlivening principles of it in our hearts, the open profession of it in our lips, and our practical and universal subjection to it in our lives."

e) Remember that many have fought the battle before you and have been more than conquerers. "Christ's arm is just as strong as ever, and Christ's heart is just as loving as ever."

***This is why we have to be in the Word, reading of those who have come before us and their faith and their victories. There's so much benefit in reading the accounts (from the Bible as well as biographies) of others who have struggled and pressed on and fought the good fight and run the race. Regardless of how difficult the fight is, God is faithful.

f) Remember that our time here really is short. Let us fight to the finish and never surrender.

***Our time here really is short, but sometimes the days seem so long and the battles seem impossible. When discouragement sets in, I think of each of our precious children. These battles aren't just about me. The choices I make...quitting or pressing on...giving in to discouragement or trusting in Him though the way ahead of me is so uncertain...all affect our children. For me to surrender is to surrender them. This thought often keeps me pressing on when I just don't think I can.

Ryle closes this chapter with these words of exhortation. "May we never forget that without fighting there can be no holiness while we live, and no crown of glory when we die."

Pressing On,
Queen Mom