If we profess to have any religion at all, let us take care
that it is real. I say it emphatically, and I repeat the saying: Let us
mind that our religion is real.
What do I mean when I use the word "real." I mean that which is
genuine, and sincere, and honest, and thorough. I mean that which is not base,
and hollow, and formal, and false, and counterfeit, and sham, and nominal. "Real
"religion is not mere show, and pretense, and skin-deep feeling, and temporary
profession, and outside work. It is something inward, solid, substantial,
intrinsic, living, lasting. We know the difference between base coin and good
money, between solid gold and tinsel, between plated metal and silver, between
real stone and plaster imitation. Let us think of these things as we consider
the subject of this paper. What is the character of our religion? Is it real? It
may be weak, and feeble, and mingled with many infirmities.
That is not the point before us today. Is our religion real? Is it true?
The times in which we live demand attention to the subject. A
lack of reality is a striking feature of a vast amount of religion in the
present day. Scientists have sometimes told us that the world has passed through
different states or conditions. We have had a golden age, and a silver age, a
brazen age, and an iron age. How far this is true, I do not stop to inquire. But
I fear there is little doubt as to the character of the age in which we live. It
is universally an age of base metal and alloy.
If we measure the religion of the age by its apparent
quantity — there is much of it. But if we measure it by its
quality — there is very little indeed. On every side we want MORE
REALITY.
[J.C. Ryle]
✞ ✞ ✞
1 John 3:18 ... My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Philippians 2:12 ... Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Acts 8:21-22 ... Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Romans 10:10 ... For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.❤
