What We'll Be Doing on Thursday Nights

It starts this Thursday night, but there's still time to get the rest of the books.  You can learn more about it at the Vision Forum website.

Basic Christianity, Gender Neutrality, and Dumbing Us Down

Scribe and I are reading John Stott's Basic Christianity together this first term of the school year.  Because I like to mark in my books:), I bought a second copy.

However,  I got more than just an another copy of the book...I got a dose of gender-neutral language changes and well as a more "modernized" version of the original. 

Here's Mr. Stott's explanation:  "It was obviously necessary to udate the language....and to respond to sensitivities relating to gender."  Sensitivities? 

I had already started reading the original, and I wasn't in the least bothered by the use of "man" to refer to all of us.  In fact, I didn't really focus on it until I read the preface to the newer version explaining some of the changes made to the text and then thought of some recent comments I heard from Pastor Tim Bayly about the importance of using the word "man."

Consider his points:

"One day I realized that when God named the human race "adam," He used the same Hebrew word that Genesis records as the name of the first man.  So when we see this same Hebrew word, "adam," used by the Holy Spirit throughout the Old Testament to refer to Adam's descendants, the whole race of them, if I were committed to the plenary verbal inspiration of Scripture--that every single word of Scripture is inspired by God and useful--I would name the race as He did.  And that meant, of course, that I would repent of my scrupulously neutered habits of speech."


"Through His words and Word, God is training us to think Biblically about the Fall, but also about the authority of our Heavenly Father that is resident in early fatherhood, starting with Adam and coming down to us today.  God could have decreed that it be otherwise, that Eve represent the race with Adam, but He didn't.  And every single time the Holy Spirit speaks in Scripture about the distinction between the sexes, reinforcing the Edenic truth that creation is neither matriarchal nor egalitarian, but patriarchal--that God is the Father from Whom all fatherhood gets its name--we need to listen up, believe, and then confess this glorious truth with our actions and words."


"Over a hundred words are in the English language because early translators like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale knew they'd need to bring Hebrew and Greek usage in, coining new words and phrases in English in order to assure the proper communication of the Word of God.  So today, why are we allowing feminists and their willing helpers to strip usages common in the English language for centuries out of our vocabularies?  Are we really so naive that we don't know they're doing this because they hate the Biblical concepts communicated through that usage?"

So, not only is the new Basic Christianity full of "human race" instead of "man," it's also updated to make it "easier" to understand.  Sadly, "modernized" often simply means "dumbed down" and politically correct.

Consider the differences in the old and new versions.  Is the old version truly too difficult to understand?

"He is altogether beyond our comprehension.  Therefore our minds, though wonderfully effective instruments in the empirical sciences, cannot immediately help us here." (original)

"He is altogether beyond our understanding.  Therefore our minds, wonderfully effective instruments though they are when it comes to scientific investigation, cannot immediately help us here." (modernized)

"We are not concerned primarily to discuss the nature of His philosophy, the value of His system, or the quality of His ethic.  Our concern is fundmentally with the character of His person.  Who was He?" (original)

"We are not concerned primarily with the effect He has had on the world, important though that is.  Our concern is basically with the man Himself.  Who was He?" (modernized)

"That Jesus did in fact claim this intimate relation to God is further confirmed by the indignation which he aroused in the Jews." (original)

"That Jesus did in fact claim this very close relationship with God is further confirmed by the indignation that He aroused in the religious leaders who opposed Him."  (modernized)

(hmm....why didn't they just keep the word "Jews.")

In some cases, modern translations can be very helpful, but truly, the original of this book is not written in such a sophisticated fashion as to have the reader scratching his head wondering what has just been said.   
The original is just fine..."man" and all, and if we're challenged by the language, isn't that a good thing?

So, all of that said, Scribe and I will be sharing the original version.  Because, especially with books, old is often much better than new.

Pressing On,
Queen Mom

Essentials for Christian Growth

In his final section on Christian growth, Ryle address the means by which we grow as Christians. He refers to one of my favorite verses, Proverbs 13:4, to encourage us.

"The soul of the diligent shall be made fat."

1) Diligence in the use of private means of grace is essential to growth in grace. This would include: private prayer, private reading of the Scriptures, and private meditation and self-examination. Ryle describes these as the "roots of true Christianity." Neglect of these practices is the central reason that so many professing Christians remain stagnant.

"They are careless and slovenly about their private prayers. They read their Bibles, but little, and with very little heartiness of spirit. They give themselves no time for self-inquiry and quiet thought about the state of their souls."

He reminds us that we must diligently attend to these private disciplines if we expect to grow as Christians.

2) Carefulness in the use of public means of grace is another means of growth. This category would include regular Sunday worship, uniting with God's people in prayer and praise, the preaching of the Word, and the Lord's Supper. Ryle cautions against a familiarity with these that breeds contempt and carelessness. Just as it is a sign of sickness when someone loses his appetite for food, "it is a sign of spiritual decline when we lose our appetite for means of grace." We should remember Ecclesiastes 9:10, doing all of these things with our might.

3) Watchfulness over our conduct in the little matters of everyday life is another means by which Christians grow in grace. Our love for Christ must manifest itself in the least things as well as the greatest.

"Our tempers, our tongues, the discharge of our several relations of life, our employment of time--each and all must be vigilantly attended to if we wish our soul to prosper. Life is made up of days, and days of hours, and the little things of every hour are never so little as to be beneath the care of a Christian."

4) Caution about the company we keep and the friendships we form is also essential to Christian growth. We must remember that deliberate fellowship with those who do not love God and seek to glorify Him will affect us. Serving Christ is difficult enough, but it is even more so when our friends are not such as will "stir us up about our prayers, our Bible reading, and our employment of time--about our souls, our salvation, and a world to come."

"We catch the ways and tone of those we live and talk with, and unhappily get harm far more easily than good."

5) Another essential for Christian growth is regular and habitual communion with the Lord Jesus. By this Ryle means the daily practice of communing with our Saviour, which can only happen by faith, prayer, and meditation.

"Such a habit of dealing with Christ is clearly something more than a vague general trust in the work that Christ did for sinners. It is getting close to him, and laying hold on him with condfidence, as a loving personal Friend. This is what I mean by communion."

Every day should be spent "leaning on and looking to Him."

Ryles closes this chapter with many cautions. He reminds us of the brevity of life. We live as though we are asleep about our souls. If you don't know Christ, don't just "stand still talking, and meaning, and intending, and wishing, and hoping. Seek Christ that you may live, and that living you may grow."

For those who do profess to be Christians yet are not growing in grace, you must recognize that there is "a fault, and a serious fault somewhere." He urges you to find the reason for your "standstill condition."

"Begin with an application to the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Physician of souls, and ask Him to heal the secret ailment within you, whatever it may be. But never, never be content, if your soul does not grow."

Next, he reminds us, there are those who are really growing in grace but are not aware of it. "Their very growth is the reason why they do not see their growth!" A deep sense of unworthiness is what marks this growing Christian.

"So many a precious soul is rich in grace, and others see it, and know it, and bless God for it, and yet the poor soul perceives it not." (T. Brooks, 1661)

Finally, Ryle urges us to not measure our growth by our neighbor's because we will forever be debtors to Christ's mercy and grace. There's plenty to do just by focusing on our own hearts. In addition, we must remember that growth comes by trials and affliction. It is by these that much pruning is done, and they are required to keep us "humble, watchful, and spiritual minded."

Are we growing?

Six Marks of Christian Growth

In his chapter on growing as a Christian, Ryle outlines six traits to consider. He reminds us that we are sometimes the most inaccurate judge of ourselves, for others see things in us that we do not. However, we should consider the following and examine ourselves. Are we growing in grace?

(And lest you be discouraged after reading this, think on these encouraging words from Thomas Watson..."Christians may be growing when they think they do not grow. The sight that Christians have of their defects in grace, and their thirst after greater measures of grace, makes them think they do not grow. He who covets a great estate, because he hath not so much as he desires, thinks himself poor." So, perhaps it's also appropriate to say....do you even desire to grow???)

1) Is there increased humility? Are you more and more aware of your sinfulness? Thomas Watson sums it up perfectly..."The nearer he draws to God, and the more he sees of God's holiness and perfection, the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless imperfections."

2) Is there increased faith and love toward our Lord Jesus Christ? We see more things in Christ than we did before, such as His "love and power--His heart and intentions--His offices as Substitute, Intercessor, Priest, Advocate, Physician, Shepherd, and Friend." These "unfold themselves to a growing soul in an unspeakable manner."

(The hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," speaks beautifully of the love of Christ ..."Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art;" As we grow in grace, this is what we think of when we think of our Savior. We love Him more and more. We trust His care for us increasingly.)

3) Is there increased holiness in our lives and conversations? We shall see increased victory over sin and temptations of the world and attempts by Satan to defeat us. Do we hunger more and more to submit to God's will in all things? Are we anxiously looking forward to heaven and a "complete separation of sin?"

"It is a sign of not growing in grace, when we are less troubled about sin. Time was when the least sin did grieve us (as the least hair makes the eye weep), but now we can digest sin without remorse. Time was when a Christian was troubled if he neglected closet prayer; now he can omit family prayer. Time was when vain thoughts did not trouble him; now he is not troubled for loose practices. There is a sad declension in religion; and grace is so far from growing that we can hardly perceive its pulse to beat." (Thomas Watson, 1660)

4) Is there an increased spirituality of taste and mind? Are you more interested in spiritual things with each passing year? Do the things of this world have a diminishing hold on your affections?

"But now our minds are taken off heaven, we dig our comforts out of these lower mines, and with Satan compass the earth. It is a sign we are going downhill apace, and our grace is in a consumption." (T. Watson)

5) Is there an increase in charity? Are we full or more love towards all men, but especially our fellow Christians? Are we more disposed to show kindness to others, to less quarreling, to believing good of others?

6) Is there increased zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls? Do we take a greater interest in the salvation of others and the growth of Christ's kingdom? Are we persistent in our efforts, not growing weary, whatever the results may be?


Consider these thoughts from Thomas Brooks: "If now you would be rich in graces, look to your walking. It is not the knowing soul, nor the talking soul, but the close-walking soul, the obedient soul, that is rich. Others may be rich in notions, but none so rich in spiritual experience, and in all holy and heavenly graces, as close-walking Christians."

Next post on growth: The Means by which we grow in grace.....

Are You Growing? Part 1

(Though it's been awhile since we've done our Holiness posts, Scribe thinks we should just pick up where we left off. even though we've continued moving on in the book...so, we'll be posting summaries of various chapters, especially since we have someone else reading with us! Welcome, Sister C!)

"...To every one who is in downright earnest about his soul, and hungers and thirsts after spiritual life, the question ought to come with searching power. Do we make progress in our religion? Do we grow?"

Such are the questions that Ryle urges us to ask ourselves as he addresses growth in the Christian's life. Ryle reminds us of how short our lives are and that we should be actively looking within and examining ourselves. He, of course, is not affirming that a Christian can be more "justified" in Christ, but rather, "that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked."

Ryle offers the following Scriptures to support the reality of Christian growth.....
~2 Thess. 1:3
~1 Thess. 4:10
~Col. 1:10
~2 Cor. 10:15
~1 Thess. 3:12
~Eph. 4:15
~Phil. 1:9
~1 Thess. 4:1
~2 Pet. 3:18

He then reminds us why growth is so important in a Christian's life.

a) When we're growing, there is evidence of "spiritual health and prosperity." We all know that when something is healthy it is growing. Such should be the case with our souls. (Isn't it interesting, though, that this if often the LAST thing we discuss as Christians. When was the last time you asked a Christian friend, "How are you growing in Christ?" )

b) Growing in Christ, states Ryle, is one way to "be happy in our religion." He asserts that God has "linked together our comfort and our increase in holiness." (How true this is. Christians who are still "babes" and weaker in their faith often suffer from a deeper unrest, a fighting against God's will, especially when faced with trials. Ten years ago, had I been diagnosed with yet a second skin cancer, I would have fretted so needlessly. But, as I have grown in the Lord, so has my trust in Him increased, as well as my peace and happiness in spite of my circumstances. At the same time, I recognize even more just how far I have to go!)

c) Growth in grace makes us "useful" to others because it greatly influences others for good. Want to be a positive witness for Christ? Then make sure you're growing. Want to be a poor witness? Then, remain stagnant.

d) Growth in grace "pleases God." While it seems too wonderful to think that we could actually "give pleasure to the most High God," Scripture often speaks of walking in a manner that pleases Him. 1 Thess. 4:1, Heb. 13:16

e) Growth is something for which we will be held accountable. "Neglect of growth robs (us) of privileges, grieves the Spirit, and makes the chariot wheels of (our) souls move heavily."
James 4:6, Psalm 35:27

***

"A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's sun that stood still, but is always advancing in holiness, and increasing with the increase of God." ~Thomas Watson


~Part 2 will address the marks of Christian growth

Holiness - The Cost Pt. 3

In this final section of chapter 5, J.C. Ryle gives us "some hints which may help men to count the cost rightly."

We ought to examine and compare honestly what Christianity entails: the hardships, the trials, the triumphs, and the rewards. We must wiegh in the balance our losses and our gains, the things we must give up in order to fully and completely follow our Saviour.

a) "Count up and compare," Ryle tells us, "for one thing, the profit and the loss, if you are a truehearted and holy Christian. You may possibly lose something in this world, but you willl gain the salvation of your immortal soul." See Mark 8:36

b) "Count up and compare... the praise and the blame, if you are a truehearted and holy Christian. You may possibly be blamed by man, but you will have the praise of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. You blame will come from the lips of a few erring, blind, fallible men and women. Your praise will come from the King of Kings and Judge of all the earth. It is only those whom He blesses who are really blessed." See Matt. 5:11-12

c) "Count up and compare... the friends and the enemies, if you are a truehearted and holy Christian. On the one side of you is the emnity of the devil and the wicked. On the other hand you have the favor and friendship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your enemies at most can only bruise your heel. They may rage loudly, and compass sea and land to work your ruin; but they cannot destroy you. Your Friend is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by Him. None shall ever pluck His sheep out of His hand." See Luke 12:4-5

d) "Count up and compare, for another thing, the life that now is, and the life that is to come, if you are a truehearted and holy Christian." Ryle reminds us that though we as Christians may go through trial and hardship in this life, ultimately we will spend eternity with God Almighty; all sin, suffering, pain, and wickedness will be cast out, and Satan bound. Our reward in Heaven will be far greater than the human mind can even concieve. See 2 Cor. 4:17-18

Unfortunately, man is a sinful creature. He desires to have things now, at this moment, without delay. He would rather have a life of worldy pleasure in this life for a few years, than eternal joy, peace, anbd happiness in the life hereafter. How backwards is that! It reminds me of one scene in the Interpreter's House Pilgrim's (The Progress by John Bunyan), where a contrast is shown between two boys, one named Passion, a discontented lad, and the other named Patience, who is very quiet, and does not complain like his companion. Christian, who is watching them, asks, "What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?" The Interpret answers, "The Governor of them would have him stay for his best things, till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now: But Patience is willing to wait."

The story goes on to relate how at last, Passion was gratified and a bag of treasure given him. He rejoiced at first, and even laughed scornfully at meek Patience. But in the end, when all is spent and gone, Passion is left with naught but rags. The Interpreter explains that "the two lads are figures: Passion of the men of this World, and Patience of the men of That which is to come." Passion wants instant gratification; he yearns to have something NOW. He won't wait. Patience does, however, and as the tale goes on to tell, he reaps a much richer and more lasting reward than that which his griping and greedy fellow got.

e) "Count up and compare... the pleasures of sin and the happiness of God's service, if you are a truehearted and holy Christian. The pleasures that the worldy man gets by his ways are hollow, unreal, and unsatisfying. They are like the fire of thorns, flashing and crackling for a few minutes, and then quenched forever." Sin often comes to us, not as the evil, black, wickedness that it is, but as something appealing, something attractive. It is like the White Witch (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) - beautiful but deadly. And just as the attractive Lady of the Green Kirtle(The Silver Chair) transformed into a hideous serpent, sin will finally reveal its true face, and the pleasure will be gone, and your soul ensnared. On the other hand, as Ryle says, "The happiness that Christ gives to his people is something solid, lasting, and substantial. It is not dependant on health or circumstances. It never leaves a man, even in death. It ends in a crown of glory that fadeth not away." See Job 20:5; Ecc. 7:6; John 14:7

f) "Count up and compare... the trouble that true Christianity entails, and the troubles that are in store for the wicked beyond the grave." Ryle points out that while Bible reading/study, praying, repenting, believing, and holy living do require pains,self-denial, etc., "it is all nothing compared to that 'wrath to come' which is stored up for the impenitent and unbelieving. A single day in hell will be worse than a whole life spent in carrying the cross. The 'worm that never dies, and the fire that is never quenched' are things which it passes man's power to conceive fully or describe." Hell and eternal seperation from God are indeed things too horrible for the human mind to wrap around. See Luke 16:25

g) "Count up and compare, in the last place, the number of those who turn from sin and the world to serve Christ, and the number of those who forsake Christ and return to the world." Ryle declares that while on the one hand you have thousands upon thousands, on the opposite hand you've none. Many forsake the broad way and enter the narrow way, but "none who ever really entered the narrow way willl grow tired of it and return to the broad. The footsteps in the downward road are often to be seen turning out of it. The footsteps in the road to heaven are all one way." See Proverbs 4:18-19; 13:15

Ryle says that often sums like the ones he just showed are done incorrectly. He says he is quite aware of the many persons who cannot make up their minds that following Christ is worthwhile. The advatantages, disadvantages, losses, gains, etc. seem so nearly and equally balanced that thye cannot decide for the Lord. They are not doing the sums properly. As Ryle puts it, "They do not count right." "What," the author asks, "is the secret to of their mistakes? It is want of faith." He then goes on to show as examples Noah, Moses, and Paul. They could not have forsaken the pleasures, friendship, and ease of this world for the cross had they not had faith - and counted the cost.

In closing, Ryle lays down these points to help us examine ourselves and rightly and without error count the cross.

1) "... let every reader of this paper think seriously whether his religion costs him anything at present." Are you truly following Christ and His ways in all areas of your life and bearing the cross of our Lord; or have you never really counted the cost, never really considered what it means to be a true Christian? If your religion doesn't cost you anything, Ryle says, then you had bettter wake up and not rest until you have a satisfactory answer to "What does Christianity cost?" A Christianity that costs nothing gets you nothing. It is plain worthless.

2) "Think, if you want stirring motives for serving God, what it cost to provide a salvation for your soul." God's Son came down from Heaven, endured harsh treatment by the very creatures whom He created and gave life to, took on the wrath and punishment due to the very ones who nailed Him on the cross, and lay in a tomb - all so that he could give His people redemption. "Think of all this and learn that it is no light matter to possess an immortal soul. It is worthwhile to take some trouble about one's soul... it may cost much to be a Christian, but you may be sure it pays."

3) "If any reader of this paper really feels that he has counted the cost, and taken up the cross, I bid him persevere and press on." Though we may often feel faint, weary, and beaten, we must look to Jesus for comfort, and take strength, realizing that in the end, after a few more years of watching, praying, and fighting, Christ's presence and perfect company will make up for all that we go through now. Ryle says that "when we see as we have been seen, and look back on the journey of life, we shall wonder at our own faintness of heart. We shall marvel much that we made so much of our cross, and thought so little of the crown. We shall marvel that in 'counting the cost' we could ever doubt on which side the balance of profit lay. Let us take courage. We are not far from home. IT MAY COST MUCH TO BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN AND A CONSISTANT BELIEVER; BUT IT PAYS."

Persevero,

Scribe

"A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great;

And armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He,

Lord Sabaoth His Name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed,

His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure;

One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth;

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God's truth abideth still;

His kingdom is for ever."

~Martin Luther

The Cost - Pt. 2

In part 2 of Holiness chapter 4, Ryle explains why it is of such importance to our souls to count the cost.

Ryle tells us that there are a number of ways he might quickly and easily settle this question, but he wishes to spend some little time addressing one class of persons in particular. He says,
"The persons I speak of are not thoughtless about religion; they think a good deal about it. They are not ignorant of religion; they know the outlines of it pretty well. But their great defect is that they are not 'rooted and ground' in their faith. Too often they have picked up their knowledge second hand, from being in religious families, or from being trained in religious ways, but have never worked it out by their own inward experience. Too often have they hastily taken up a profession of religion under the pressure of circumstances, from sentimental feelings from animal excitement, or from a vague desire to do like others around them , but without any solid work of grace in their hearts." (May I point out (as Ryle later points out) that Jesus speaks of these persons in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-9. Such people receive the Word with joy, but soon fall away from the faith because they have no root, no firm and true foundation. Everyone one of us should ask himself/herself, "Am I like that? Is Christ my solid foundation, or do I merely put on a masquerade, while in reality I have no root?")

Ryle points out that it was "for want of 'counting the cost', that myriads of the children of Israel perished miserably in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan." Israel departed from their slavery in Egypt with eagerness and vigor, but then, when things got tough, they began complaining, murmuring, and railing against God. Their faith was not firmly grounded, and as a result, their complaining brought down on their heads a severe punishment from Yahweh.

Ryle says that "for want of 'counting the cost', many of our Lord Jesus Christ's hearers went back after a time, and 'walked no more with him' (John 6:66)." Their faith in Him was not deeply rooted: it was a temporary thing, inspired in their hearts for a season because of the Messiah's great miracles and works.

"For want of 'counting the cost', King Herod returned to his old sins and destroyed his soul. He liked to hear John the Baptist preach. He 'observed' and honored him as a just and holy man. He even 'did many things' which were right and good. But when he found that he must give up his darling Herodias, his religion entirely broke down...

"For want of 'counting the cost'," Ryle says, "Demas forsook the company of St. Paul, forsook the gospel, forsook Christ, forsook heaven... when he found he could not have the friendship of this world as well as the friendship of God...

"For want of 'counting the cost', the hearers of powerful evangelical preachers often come to miserable ends. They are stirred and excited into professing what they have not really experienced... they run for a time with such zeal and fervor that they seem likely to outstrip all others... but when the novelty and freshness of their feelings is gone... they prove to have been nothing more than stony ground hearers...

"For want of 'counting the cost', hundreds of professed converts, under religious revivals, go back to the world after a time, and bring disgrace on religion. They began with a sadly mistaken notion of what is true Christianity. They fancy it consists in nothing more than a so-called 'coming to Christ', and having strong inward feelings of joy and peace. And so when they find, after a time, that there is a cross to be carried, that our hearts our deceitful, and that there is a busy devil always near us, they cool down in disgust, and return to their old sins...

"For want of 'counting the cost', the children of religious parents often turn out ill, and bring disgrace on Christianity. Familiar from their earliest years with the form and theory of the gospel - taught from infancy to repeat great leading text, accustomed every week to be instructed in the gospel... they often grow up professing a religion without knowing why, or without ever having thought seriously about it. And then when the realities of grown-up life begin to press upon them, they often astound everyone by dropping all their religion and plunging right into the world... they had never really thoroughly understood the sacrifices which Christianity entails...

I would like to bring up a quote by C.S. Lewis here. He tells us, "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means, at the point of highest reality. A chastity or honesty or mercy which yields to danger will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions. Pilate was merciful until it became risky."
This can also be applied to our Christian walk and our faith. A faith which gives way when things become hard or difficult or troublesome is a conditional faith; and conditional faith is not true faith.

Mark Twain said, "The streets of Hell are paved with good intentions." Many people start out in the Christian walk with good intentions - they are fired up and fresh and invigorated. But the Christian walk is a hard walk, and once the road gets rough, and their cross gets heavy, they fall away. Good intentions will not get you far on the Christian road of trials and persecution. Deep grounded faith and perseverance through the power of God are what is needed.

Ryle tells us not to mistake his meaning, however. He says, "I thoroughly approve of offering men a full, free, present, immediate salvation in Christ Jesus. I thoroughly approve of urging on man to the possibility and the duty of immediate, instantaneous conversion. In these matters I give place to no one. But I do say that these truths ought not to be set before men nakedly, singly, and alone. They ought to be told honestly what it is they are taking up, if they profess a desire to come out from the world and serve Christ. They ought not to be pressed into the ranks of Christ's army without being told what the warfare entails. In a word, they should be told honestly to count the cost.

"Does anyone ask what our Lord Jesus Christ's practice was in this matter? Let him read what St. Luke records. He tells us that on a certain occasion, 'There went out great multitudes with Him (Jesus): and he turned and said unto them, If any come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:25-27)... to my mind, the doctrine of it is as clear as the sun at noonday. It shows us that we ought not to hurry men into professing discipleship, without warning them plainly to 'count the cost'."

Ryle reminds us that many great and eminent preachers of the gospel "have with one mouth borne testimony to the wisdom of our Lord's dealing with the multitudes to which I have just referred. Luther, and Latimer, and Baxter, and Wesley, and Whitefield, and Berridge, and Rowland Hill were all keenly alive to the deceitfulness of man's heart. They knew full well that all is not gold that glitters, that conviction is not conversion, that feeling is not faith, that sentiment is not grace, that all blossoms do not come from fruit. 'Be not deceived,' was their constant cry. 'Consider well what you do. Do not run before you are called. Count the cost.'"

In conclusion, Ryle tells us, "If we are to do good, let us never be ashamed of walking in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ. Work hard if you will, and have the opportunity, for the souls of others. Press them to consider their ways. Compel them with holy violence to come in, to lay down their arms, and to yield themselves to God. Offer them salvation, ready, free, full, immediate salvation. Press Christ and all his benefits on their acceptance. But in all your work tell the truth, and the whole truth. Be ashamed to use the vulgar arts of a recruiting sergeant. Do not speak only of the uniform, the pay, and the glory; speak also of the enemies, the battle, the armor, the watching, the marching, and the drill. Do not present only one side of Christianity. Do not keep back 'the cross' of self-denial that must be carried, when you speak of the cross on which Jesus died for our redemption. Explain fully what Christianity entails. Entreat men to repent and come to Christ; but bid them at the same time to 'count the cost'."

Persevero,

Scribe

Holiness-Chapter 5 "The Cost"

"Which of you, intending to build a house sitteth not down first and counteth the cost?"

Luke 14:28

Ryle opens this next chapter with the following exhortation:

"No doubt Christ's way to eternal life is a way of pleasantness. But it is folly to shut our eyes to the fact that His way is narrow, and the cross comes before the crown."

In this first part of the chapter, he addresses what is costs to be a true Christian. He explains that one's relationship with Christ will cost a man his self-righteousness, his sins, his love of ease, and the favor of the world. We're reminded that is doesn't cost much "outwardly" to call oneself a Christian. However, according to God's Word, "it does cost much to be a real Christian. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to run."

**Ryle is very clear that the following discussion has nothing to do with what it costs to SAVE a Christian--nothing less than the blood of Christ does that. He's considering here what a man should be willing to give up in light of his salvation.***

1) His self-righteousness-A man must realize that there is nothing good in him and that he is a poor sinner saved by grace. He can trust in nothing but Christ alone for his salvation.

(This understanding, I think, grows deeper and deeper the longer you're a Christian. You see more and more how wicked your heart is and how amazing the grace of God is...)

2) His sins-A man must passionately "give up every habit and practice which is wrong in God's sight. There must be no separate trust with any special sin which he loves. He must count all sins as his deadly enemies, and hate every false way."

Ryle speaks this painful truth when he states that, "often our sins are as dear to us as our children: we love them, hug them, cleave to them, and delight in them."

3) His love of ease-Ryle's sums this up perfectly....

"He must take pains and trouble if he means to run a successful race toward heaven. He must daily watch and stand on his guard, like a soldier on enemy's ground. He must take heed to his behavior every hour of the day, in every company, and in every place, in public as well as in private, among strangers as well as at home. He must be careful over his time, his tongue, his temper, his thoughts, his imagination, his motives, his conduct in every relation of life. He must be diligent about his prayers, his Bible reading, and his use of Sundays, with all their means of grace. In attending to these things, he may come far short of perfection, but there is none of them that he can safely neglect."

He then refers to Proverbs 13:4, which caused me to see this particular Scripture verse in a whole new light.

"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."

It is so often my love of ease that causes me to stumble in those areas above that Ryle addresses. His insight into the battle with the flesh is right on target as he affirms that "we hate trouble. We secretly with we could have a vicarious Christianity and could be good by proxy, and have everything done for us. Anything that requires exertion and labor is entirely against the grain of our hearts. But the soul can have no gains without pains."

4) The favor of the world-We must remember that the world is going to think ill of us. They'll mock us, ridicule and despise us and our opinions and practices. We'll have our "words perverted" and our "actions misrepresented." This is the very thing that John 15:18-20 reminds us. We're not greater than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was persecuted and so shall we be. He was hated, and the world will hate us, too.

Ryle closes this section by acknowledging that giving up these four things are hard. But, "where is the item that could be removed?" Who would truly say that "we may keep our self-righteousness, our sins, our laziness, and our love of the world, and yet be saved?"

Pressing On,

Queen Mom

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

Holiness - Chapter 4 "The Fight" - Pt. 3

In this section of chapter 4 in Holiness, we learn are told that"True Christianity is a good fight." "'Good' is a curious word to apply to any warfare," Ryle says. "All worldly warfare is more or less evil. No doubt it is an absolute necessity in many cases - to procure the liberty of nations, to prevent the weak from being trampled down by the strong - but still it is an evil... and yet there is one warfare which is emphatically "good", and one fight in which there is no evil. That warfare is the Christian warfare. That fight is the fight of the soul."

Next Ryle explains why the Christian fight is 'a good fight':


a) For one thing, "the Christian's fight is a good fight, because fought under the best of generals."
Christ Jesus, Ryle points out, is the Lord, Commander, and Captain of every Christian soldier involved in the war of the soul. He is divine, perfect, flawless, and all powerful. He never does aught that is wrong or useless, and He never fails to lead His followers to victory. No soldier, be he the humblest, is ever forgotten by Christ. "The weakest and most sickly is cared for, remembered, kept unto salvation. The souls whom He has purchased and redeemed with His own blood are far too precious to be wasted and thrown away."


b) "The Christian's fight is a good fight, because fought with the best of helps."
Ryle reminds us that "weak as each believer is in himself, the Holy Spirit dwells in him, and his body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Chosen by God the Father, washed in the blood of the Son, and renewed by the Spirit, he does not go to warfare at his own charges, and is never alone. God the Holy Spirit daily teaches, leads, guides, and directs him. God the Father guards him by His almighty power. God the Son intercedes for him every moment.... a threefold cord like this can never be broken! His daily provisions and supplies never fail. His commissariat is never defective.His bread and water are sure.Weak as he seems in himself, like a worm, he is strong in the Lord to do great exploits.''


c) "The Christian's fight is a good fight, because fought with the best of promises."
We're told that we as Christians have received the greatest of promises from our Lord, the "One who cannot lie, and has power as well as will to keep His word. Who does not know that promises of coming aid have cheered the defenders of besieged cities, like Lucknow, and raised them above their natural strength? Have we never heard that the promise of 'help before night' had much to say to the mighty victory of Waterloo? Yet all such promises are as nothing compared to the rich treasure of believers, the eternal promises of God." (Isa. 43:2; John 6:37; 10:28; Rom. 6:14; 8:38; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 13:5)

d) "The Christian's fight is a good fight, because fought with the best of issues and results."
Ryle tells us that despite the fact the Christian warfare is indeed a hard and bitter struggle, "every believer, without exception, is 'more than conqueror through Him that loved him' (Rom. 8:37)." Not a soldier in Christ's army will ever be found missing, or slain on the field of battle. We won't need to mourn or weep over any of Jesus' Followers, for He keeps every one of them under His care. "The English Guards marched out of London to the Crimean campaign a magnificent body of men; but many of those gallant fellows laid their bones in a foreign grave and never saw London again. Far different shall be the arrival of the Christian army in 'the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God' (Heb. 11:10). Not one shall be found lacking. The words of our great Captain shall be found true: "Of them which thou hast given Me I have lost none' (John 18:9)."

e) "The Christian's fight is a good fight, because it does good to the soul of him that fights it." Ryle makes clear that though "all other wars have a bad, lowering, and demoralizing tendency... the Christian warfare alone tends to call forth the best things that are left in man. It promotes humility and charity, it lessons selfishness and worldliness, it induces men to set their affections of things above. The old, the sick, and the dying, are never known to repent of fighting Christ's battles against sin, the world, and the devil. Their only regret is that they did not begin to serve Christ long before." Ryle tells us of a man by the name of Philip Henry, who stated during his final days with his family, "I take you all to record that a life spent in the service of Christ is the happiest life that a man can spend upon this earth."

f) "The Christian's fight is a good fight, because it does good to the world."
We are reminded that rather than having "a devastating ravaging, and injurious effect", as all other wars do, on both the land and its inhabitants, the war of the soul has the opposite effect. "Wherever they (the Christian soldiers) live, they are a blessing. They raise the standard of religion and morality. They invariably check the progress of drunkenness, Sabbath breaking, profligacy, and dishonesty. Even their enemies are obliged to respect them. Go where you please, you will rarely find that barracks and garrisons do good to the neighborhoods. But go where you please, you will find that the presence of a few true Christians is a blessing."

g) Finally, "the Christian's fight is a good fight, because it ends in a glorious reward for all who fight."
In this world, Ryle states, successful and brave warriors can receive from their country medals, honors, titles, and a myriad of other good things, and yet none of these rewards are eternal; they do not last forever.
But the glories and honors and riches which Christ has prepared for his followers are endless and will remain for eternity. "Who can tell the wages which Christ will pay to all His faithful people? Who can estimate the good things that our divine Captain has laid up for those who confess Him before men?"
Although we may only get a little bit of praise from our fellowmen in this life, and die without great honours, we shall have at the end of all things "that which is far better, far more enduring." See 1 Pet. 5:4.

In conclusion to this section of Chapter 4, Ryle says, "Let us settle it in our minds that the Christian fight is a good fight - really good, truly good, emphatically good. We see only a part of it as yet. We see the struggle, but not the end; we see the campaign, but not the reward; we see the cross, but not the crown. We see a few humble, broken spirited, penitent, praying people, enduring hardships and despised by the world; but we see not the hand of God over them, the face of God smiling on them, the kingdom of glory prepared for them. These things are yet to be revealed. Let us not judge by appearances. There are more good things about the Christian warfare than we see."

Persevero,

Scribe

Holiness- Chapter 4 "The Fight" Pt. 2

After opening his chapter with the reminder that "True Christianity is a fight," Ryle goes on to say that "True Christianity is the fight of faith." It is not dependent on physical abilities, such as "the strong arm, the quick eye, or the swift foot." Rather, "faith is the hinge on which victory turns."

1) "A general faith in the truth of God's written Word is the primary foundation of the Christian soldier's character." Ryle asserts that we do what we do, hope what we hope, act as we act, think as we think because we believe certain truths revealed in God's Word. Perhaps many like to speak of having a religion without any "doctrine or dogma," but upon closer examination, we'll discover that such is simply impossible. To speak of religion without speaking of specifically what a man believes is to "talk of a body without bones or sinew." Everyone has faith in something.

For true Christians, "faith is the very backbone of their spiritual existence." We can't fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil unless we "have engraven on our hearts certain great principles which we believe."

2) "A special faith in our Lord Jesus Christ's person, work, and office is the life, heart, and mainspring of the Christian soldier's character."

"He sees by faith an unseen Savior, who loved him, gave himself for him, paid his debts for him, bore his sins, carried his transgressions, rose again for him, and appears in heaven for him as his Advocate at the right hand of God. He sees Jesus and clings to him."

"He sees his own many sins--his weak heart, a tempting world, a busy devil; and if he looked only at them he might well despair. But he sees also a mightly Savior, an interceding Savior, a sympathizing Savior--his blood, his righteousness, his everlasting priesthood--and he believes that all this is his own.

3) "Habitual lively faith in Christ's presence and readiness to help is the secret of the Christian soldier fighting successfully." Ryle reminds us that believers have different degrees of faith, and even the same person has greater faith at some times than at others. However, our level of faith profoundly impacts our Christian life. "Nothing enables him to bear the fatigue of watching, struggling, and wrestling against sin, like the indwelling confidence that Christ is on his side and success is sure, " and "nothing makes the anxieties of warfare sit so lightly on a man as the assurance of Christ's love and continual protection."

Ryle then offers a substantial list of verses to encourage us in this way...Eph. 6:16, 2 Tim. 1:12, 2 Cor. 4:16-18, Gal. 2:20, 6:14, Phil. 1:21, 4:11, 13.

Ryle encourages us to read Hebrews 11, and see the great victories won because of faith and to study church history and see what the martyrs and reformers endured and believed. "Let us mark how these gallant soldiers of Christ stood firm against a host of adversaries, and were ready to die for thier principles. What battles they fought! What controversies they maintained! What contradiction they endured!" Let us remember "that believing in an unseen Jesus was the secret of their strength. They overcame by faith."

In closing of this section of the chapter, we're reminded that to live the life of a Christian soldier requires faith and that we should be earnestly praying for it, knowing that it is the gift of God, and "a gift which those who ask shall never ask in vain." We should pray for that continual increase in faith and guard our faith jealously, for "it is the citadel of the Christian character, on which the safety of the whole fortress depends. It is the point which Satan loves to assail. All lies at his mercy if faith is overthrown."

Pressing On,

Queen Mom

The Fight - Part 1 (from Chapter 4 of Holiness)

In this chapter of Holiness, J. C. Ryle adresses warfare, spiritual warfare. Christians are continually at odds with Satan and the World, and will be until Christ's second coming. That is why we must be very attentive to what the Bible has to say about fighting the good fight.

Ryle says that sadly, many are unaware of this spiritual warfare, this epic struggle in which all those who truly follow Christ are contenders. "Talk to them about it," Ryle states, "and they are ready to set you down as a madman, an enthusiast, or a fool. And yet it is as real and true as any war the world has ever seen. It has its hand-to-hand conflicts and its wounds. It has its watches and fatigues. It has its sieges and assaults. It has its victories and defeats. Above all, it has consequences which are awful, tremendous, and most peculiar. In earthly warfare the consequences to nations are often temporary and remediable. In spiritual warfare it is very different. Of that warfare, the consequences, when the fight is over, are unchangeable and eternal.

"It is of this warfare that St. Paul spoke to Timothy when he wrote those burning words, 'Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life.' ... the Christian is a 'man of war'. If we would be holy we must fight."


(1) "True Christianity is a fight." Ryle makes the point here that one who is true follower of Christ will be warring with the flesh. We must mind carefully the word true. A 'Christian' who does not acknowledge this wafare of which St. Paul speaks, has no 'fight' about him or his religion, and doesn't struggle with sin is not within the confines of what the Bible says Christianity is. Satan won't attack the worldling. He attacks the man who has donned the Armor of God, the man who walks in the footsteps of his Saviour and Lord.

Another thing Ryle adresses is "with whom is the Christian soldier to fight?". Not with other Christians! There may be disagreements between us as Brothers in Christ, but that doesn't mean we must be in perpetual contention and bitterness towards one another.

Well then, who are Christians to battle against?

(a) We must "fight against the flesh." As Ryle and the Scriptures make plain, even as Christians we carry that seed of sin in our hearts, a plague we can never escape in this world. We must always be on our guard, struggling against the temptations and sins of our Old Nature. See Mark 14:38; 1 Cor. 9:27; Rom. 7: 23-24; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5.

(b) We must "fight the world." Ryle says, "The subtle influence of that mighty enemy must be daily resisted, and without a daily battle can never be overcome. The love of the world's good things - the fear of the world's laughter or blame - the secret desire to keep in with the world - the secret wish to do as others in the world do, and not to run into extremeties - all these are spiritual foes which beset the Christian continually on his way to heaven, and must be conquered."

How true is that! Satan uses the attractions and temptations of the world to lure Followers of the Lord off the Narrow Way. As a result, in the present day we have many so called 'Christians' living in ways which are not much different from the pagans around them. They blend in, instead of standing apart; they go with the flow, instead of going against it; they surrendur their souls for worldly pleasures and amusements instead of setting their eye solely on the Heavenly Kingdom. This is the sad state of many, and unless the Lord reveals to them their blindness and folly in pursuing earthly things, they will have the same judgment meted out to them as will the pagans. See James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 5:4; Gal. 6:14; Rom. 12:2.

(c) We must "fight the devil." Satan is the ancient and dark enemy of mankind, and if we want to be saved, a daily fight must be put up to contend with him. Ryle states, "...sometimes by one kind of tactics and sometimes by another, he (the devil) is always carrying on a campaign against our souls... this mighty adversary must be daily resisted if we wish to be saved. But 'this kind goeth not out' but by watching and praying, and fighting, and puttng on the whole Armor of God. The strong man armed will never be kept out of our hearts without a daily battle." See Job 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:8; John 8:44; Luke 22:31; Matt. 17:21; Eph. 6:11.

Ryle reminds us of "the maxim of the wisest general that ever lived in England - 'In time of war it is the worst mistake to underrate your enemy, and try to make a little war.' This Christian warfare is no light matter. There is a continual battle waging between the powers of darkness and of light, and if we do not fight, we lose. There are a myriad of passages in God's Word which tell us what we must do in this war - 1 Tim. 1:18-19, 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3; Eph. 6:11-13; Luke 13:24, 22:36; John 6:27; Matt. 10:34; 1 Cor. 16:13 - and in all of them the message is clear: Christianity is full of battles, and epic struggles which we must wage against the flesh, the world, and the devil. To follow Christ is to bear a sword.

Ryle also reminds us that there is no such thing as neutrality in the great War. The Bible says clearly that he who is not with Christ is against Him - no in between stuff, no inactivity. You are either for the Lord or against Him. Period.

Ryle says that everyone must fight. In the earthly wars we wage, young children, aged men, or those infirm may be exempted from service. Not so in this fight. "No rank, or class, or age can plead exemption, or escape battle. Ministers and people, preachers and hearers, old and young, high and low, rich and poor, gentle and simple, kings and subjects, landlords and tenants, learned and unlearned - all alike must carry arms and go to war. All have by nature a heart full of pride, unbelief, sloth, worldliness, and sin. All are living in a world beset by snares, traps, and pitfalls for the soul. All have near them a busy, restless, malicius devil. All, from the queen in her palace to the pauper in the workhouse, all must fight, if they would be saved."

Lastly, Ryle tells us that there is no rest from this battle in this life. "On weekdays as well as Sundays - in private as well as in public - at home by the family fireside as well as abroad - in little things like management of tongue and temper, as well as in great ones like the government of kingdoms - the Christian warfare must unceasingly go on. The foe we have to do with keeps no holidays, never slumbers, and never sleeps. So long as we have breath in our bodies, we must keep on our armor, and remember we are on an enemy's ground. 'Even on the brink of the Jordan,' said a dying saint, 'I find Satan nibbling at my heels.' We must fight till we die."

We must examine ourselves to see whether we struggle against sin. We should. And if we don't, we need to earnestly pray to God that he would empower, enable, and renew us for the struggle. Those who don't even know of the battle for the souls are in a sad state. Ryle aptly puts it when he says, "The worst chains are the ones neither felt nor seen by the prisoner."

To sum up, I will quote Ryle as he ends this first section in Chapter 4: "The child of God has two great marks about him, and of these two we have one. HE MAY BE KNOWN BY HIS INWARD WARFARE, AS WELL AS BY HIS INWARD PEACE."

Persevero,

Scribe

Holiness~Chapter 3 Part 3

~Queen Mom here finishing up our discussion of chapter 3 of J.C. Ryle's Holiness.

Ryle ends this chapter with some hard questions to help us apply what we're reading and learning. "Are you holy?" he asks. He then discusses a host of things that he's NOT asking when inquiring about our holiness...

~not whether you attend church regularly
~not whether you've been baptized and take of the Lord's Supper
~not whether you have the name of Christian
~not whether you approve of holiness in others
~not whether you like to read about the lives of holy people or talk of holy things

But, "Are you yourself holy this very day, or are you not?"

He explains that his asking and pressing this question "so strongly" is because Hebrews 12:14 is so very clear that "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Yet, so many Christians reflect nothing of Christianity besides the name. His desire is for us to consider this text and search our hearts, examine ourselves.

There will be many objections to his questions, he states, as he addresses the many excuses we might have to offer...

a) Well, I think about holiness a lot...more than most people. His response is that this is "not the point. The poor lost souls in hell do as much as this. The great question is not what you think, and what you feel, but what you do."
b) Not everyone is meant to be holy. That is a gift that only some Christians have.
Ryle counters this objection with the reminder that 1 John 3:3 states that "every man who hath hope in Christ purifieth himself." Once again, Hebrews 12:14 is mentioned, too, reminding us that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord."
c) You can't be holy and do your duty in this life, too. Then, Ryle states, you must remember that "with Christ on your side, nothing is impossible. It has been done by...David, Obadiah, Daniel.." who are just some examples from God's Word to prove it.
d) But I wouldn't be like everyone else if I were so holy. Exactly, replies Ryle. True servants of Christ should be unlike the world around them..."a separate nation, a peculiar people."
e) Then very few would be saved. "I know it," answers Ryle. He reminds us that Jesus told us in Matthew that narrow is the way that leads to life, and there will be few that find it." "Men will not deny themselves the pleasure of sin and their own way for a little season." We must be willing to take up our cross daily, for "that which costs nothing is worth nothing."

He next asks us if we "feel the importance of holiness as much as should?" He thinks most Christians do not consider the subject of holiness very much and reminds us that "Judas Iscariot seemed very like the other apostles." Yet, we cannot neglect speaking about the character of God's people, nor should we constantly bemoan our corruptions as an excuse to "cover spiritual laziness." "If we say with Paul, 'O wretched man that I am,' let us also be able to say with him, 'I press toward the mark."

Finally, he offers advice to those who desire to be holy...

1) Christ must be our foundation. This cannot be done in our own power. You must be joined to Him. He quotes Traill's statement that "wisdom out of Christ is damning--righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation--sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin--redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery."

Holiness is God's gift to HIS people. "It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch in the true Vine."

2) To continue to be holy, you must abide in Him. We're told in John 15:4,5 , "Abide in me and I in you. He that abideth in Me and I in him, the same beareth much fruit." God is our Physician, to whom we must daily go to keep well. He is the Manna which we must daily feed on, and the Rock from which we must daily drink. We must be "rooted" in Him and "built up" in Him.

Ryle then encourages us with this closing thought..

"Whether we live, may we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, may we die unto the Lord; or if He comes for us, may we be found in peace, without spot, and blameless!"

Holiness - Chapter 3 "Holiness" Part 2

In this post on Chapter 3 in J.C. Ryle's Holiness, we will look at "some reasons why practical holiness is so important."

(a) "...we must be holy, because the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it." Over and over in Scripture, we find that God demands and requires holiness. God is holy, and as His people, we are to follow after Him, even as a child imitates his father. See Matt. 5:20, 48; 1 Pet. 1:15-16

(b) "We must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world... In short, to talk of men being saved from the guilt of sin, without being at the same time saved from its dominion in their hearts, is to contradict the witness of all Scripture. Are believers said to be elect? - it is 'through sanctification of the Spirit.' Are they predestined? - it is 'to be conformed to the image of God's Son.' Are they chosen? - it is 'that they may be holy.' Are they called? - it is 'with a holy calling.' Are they afflicted? - it is that they may become 'partakers of holiness.' Jesus is a complete Saviour. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer's sin, He does more - He breaks its power" (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29; Eph.1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:10).

(c) "We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." As the Apostle James points out in his epistle, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). You cannot have one without the other. A tree will be known by the fruit it yields!

(d) "We must be holy, because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." If we truly love our Saviour, we will do whatsoever He commands us to do (John 14: 15, 21, 23; 15:14), and strive against sin, following in His holy footsteps. As Ryle states: "Surely that man must be in unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus suffered, and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering was undergone. It was sin that wove the crown of thorns - it was sin that pierced our Lord's hands, and feet, and side - it was sin that brought him to Gethsemane and Calvary, to the cross and to the grave. Cold must our hearts be of we do not hate sin and labor to get rid of it, though we may have to cut of the right hand and pluck out the right eye in doing it."

(e) "We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God." Ryle reminds us that children usually imitate their parents, no doubt some more so, some less so, but nevertheless, it is very rare that you cannot find some family resmblence. So it is with us, the children of the Heavenly Father. If we truly belong to Him, our lives, our words, our actions will bear witness to it. See Rom. 8:14; John 8:39, 42.

(f) "We must be holy, because this is the most likely way to do good to others." Whatever we do, whether good or bad, will affect others. If we lead godly lives, our effect upon those around us will havea positive impact, whereas sin will only breed harm and mischief. In fact, we will cause non-believers to shun Christianity if our actions do not live up to the Name by which we are called.

(g) "We must be holy, because our present comfort depends much upon it." God designed it so that there is a connection between sin and grief, holiness and joy. Do you feel good when you break God's commands? If your heart is tender, then no, breaking God's law should not make you feel good. Rather, it should grieve you, and cause you sorrow. On the other hand, there is a certain feeling of peace, joy, and happiness which comes when one does the commands of Jesus fully and well. See 1 John 2:3; 3:19

(h) "We must be holy, because without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy Heaven." What joy would a wicked man have in the presence of God's saints? A "Christian" who is not holy, has no mind or heart for the things of God, and does not delight in following Him - this man will have no joy in a place where all is holy and pure and perfect. Rather, he should feel most out of place, like a black sheep among the white ones. No, only those who strive after holiness in this life can expect to enjoy Heaven. See Rev. 21:27

My next post will cover the final part of Chapter 3.

Persevero,

Scribe

Holiness - Chapter 3 "Holiness" Part 1

Last week we read chapter 3, titled "Holiness," in J. C. Ryle's book Holiness. In this chapter, Ryle presents many key, Biblical points on how we are to be holy, and how true holiness will manifest itself. In this post, we'll just tackle the first part of chapter 3, in which Ryle adresses "what true practical holiness is - what sort of persons are those whom God calls holy."

(a) "Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture." In other words, we should hate the things He hates, love that which He loves, and make sure that we measure all things, no matter how great or small, by the infallible standard set in God's Word.

(b) "A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin, and to keep every commandment." That is not to say that he will always, in every single instance, succeed, but he will struggle, fight, persevere in earnestly trying to do what God says. "He will", Ryle states, "have a decided bent of mind toward God, a hearty desire to do His will - a greater fear of displeasing Him than of displeasing the world, and a love to all his ways." See Psa. 119:128; Rom. 7:22

(c) "A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ." We should love others as He loved us, forgive others as He forgave us, be selfless even as He was selfless, and in all ways try to walk as He did. See 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6

(d) "A holy man will follow after meekness, longsuffering, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue. He will bear much, forebear much, overlook much, and be slow to talk of standing on his rights." How many of us will be the first to speak against an infringement of our "rights", instead of showing humility, and preferring others over ourselves! Instead, we need to be like David when he was mocked and cursed by Shimei (2 Sam. 16:10), or like Moses when his brother Aaron and his sister Miriam rebelled against his authority and spoke against him (Num. 12:3).

(e) "A holy man will folow after temperence and self-denial." In essence, we should crucify the desires of the flesh and keep in subjections sinful passions, putting off that which is old, and putting on that which is new. See 1 Cor. 9:27; Luke 21:34

(f) "A holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness." As Ryle says, one who is truly holy will "strive to adorn his religion by all his outward demeanor, and to make it lovely and beautiful in the eyes of all around him." Actions do speak louder than words! See Rom. 13:8; 1 Cor. 13

(g) "A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence toward others." Like Ryle says, one who is truly holy will not just be content with doing no harm; a holy man will try to do good! Dorcas gives us a good example here, for she went about doing good works (Acts 9:36). Paul also counted it a gladness to "spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved" (2 Cor. 12:15).

(h) "A holy man will follow after purity of heart." He will flee all unclean thoughts and desires, and shun everything which might lead to his falling into evil. Ryle states that "few Christians are ever too watchful and too particular about this point". See Psa. 119:9

(i) "A holy man will follow after the fear of God." This is not the fear that a slave has of his master, but rather like that of a child who loves his father so much he always moves as though his father were watching him. See Neh. 5:15

(j) "A holy man will follow after humility." We should prefer others before ourselves, and, as Ryle puts it, "see more evil in his own heart than in any other in the world." Jesus says that the meek are the ones who will inheirit the earth (Matt. 5:5), and the Apostle James writes that God resists those who are prideful, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

(k) "A holy man will follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations in life." Well does Ryle put it when he says, "He will not try merely to to fill his place as well as others who take no thought for their souls, but even better, because he has higher motives, and more help than they." We should work diligently and to the best of our ability, as though our Heavenly Father were right there watching every single task we set our hands to; and indeed, He is watching us, and it is sinful of us to groan and gripe as we work. We should, rather, be thankful that we have work to do, and that we are able to do it. See Col. 3:23; Rom. 12:11

(l) "... a holy man will follow after spiritual mindedness." We should always keep our eyes on heavenly things, and, as Ryle puts it, "hold things on this earth with a very loose hand. He will not neglect the business of life that now is; but the first place in his mind and thoughts will be given to the life to come."

Now I'll close this first part with a few remaining thoughts from Ryle.

"And this I do boldly and confidently say, that true holiness is a great reality... It is light: if light exists, it will show itself. It is salt: if it exists, its savour will be perceived. It is a preciuos ointment: if it exists, its presence cannot be hid."

"I do not say for a moment that holiness shuts out the presence of indwelling sin. No: far from it... But it is the excellence of a holy man that he is not at peace with indwelling sin as others are. He hates it, mourns over it, and longs to be free from its company. The work of sanctification within him is the like the wall of Jerusalem - the building goes forward 'even in troublous times' (Dan. 9:25)."

"Sanctification is always a progressive work. Some men's graces are in the blade, some in the ear, and some are like full corn in the ear... And sanctification at its best is an imperfect work. The history of the brightest saints will contain many a 'but,' and 'howebeit,' and 'notwithstanding,' before you reach the end. The gold will never be without some dross - the light will never shine without some clouds, until we reach the heavenly Jerusalem."

"I dare not call anyone 'holy' who makes a habit of willfully neglecting known duties, and willfully doing what he knows God has commanded him not to do. Well says Owen, "I do not understand how a man can be a true believer unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble.'"

Persevero,

Scribe

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."

Sanctification-Part 3

Queen Mom here posting our next notes on "Sanctification" for Scribe since he's a bit busy fighting off bears this weekend.:) In this post, we'll look at the distinction between sanctification and justification.

Ryle first addresses the similarities between the two:

a) "Both proceed originally from the free grace of God." Both are God's gifts to us.

b) "Both are part of that great work of salvation which Christ, in the eternal covenant, has undertaken on behalf of His people." Pardon and holiness flow from Christ, who is the fountain of life.

c) You will find both of these in a person. You can't have one without the other.

d) Both are necessary to salvation. "No one ever reached heaven without a renewed heart as well as forgiveness, without the Spirit's grace as well as the blood of Christ, without a meetness for eternal glory as well as a title." (Are any of you thinking of the thief on the cross or deathbed conversions? Me, too. But, I would say that just as our sanctification happens in degrees, such was the case for them. They wouldn't have the opportunity we have as we continue to walk with the Lord and grow in Him here on this earth. But, it wouldn't mean they weren't sanctified at all. Perhaps Owen's work, The Holy Spirit, will expand more on this issue.)

Ryle next addresses the differences between sanctification and justification.

a) "Justification is the reckoning and counting a man to be righteous for the sake of another, even Jesus Christ the Lord. Sanctification is the actual making a man inwardly righteous, though it may be in a very feeble degree."

b) The righteousness in us from justification is "not our own, but the everlasting perfect righteousness of our Great Mediator, Christ, imputed to us and made our own by faith." The righteousness from sanctification is our own righteousness, imparted, inherent, and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, but mingled with much infirmity and imperfection."

c) Works have no part in our justification. Only faith in Christ is required. "In sanctification our own works are of vast importance, and God bids us to fight, and watch, and pray, and strive, and take pains, and labor."

d) Justification is complete the moment a person believes. Sanctification will not be complete here on this earth.

e) "Justification admits of no growth or increase; a man is as much justified the hour he first comes to Christ by faith as he will be to all eternity." Sanctification is progressive, increasing for the rest of a man's life.

f) Justification relates to our persons, "our standing in God's sight, and our deliverance from guilt." Sanctification relates to our natures, and the "moral renewal of our hearts."

g)"Justification gives us our title to heaven, and boldness to enter in. Sanctification gives us our meetness for heaven, and prepares us to enjoy it when we get there."

h) "Justification is the act of God about us and is not easily discerned by others. Sanctification is the work of God within us, and cannot be hid in its outward manifestataion from the eyes of men."

Our final post on this chapter will provide Ryle's points for practically applying what we've studied thus far about sanctification.

Love,
Queen Mom