The Workings of Grace

The workings of grace in the heart are utterly mysterious and unsearchable. We cannot explain why the Word produces effects on one person in a congregation, and not upon another. We cannot explain why, in some cases; with every possible advantage, and in spite of every entreaty people reject the Word and continue dead in trespasses and sins. 

We cannot explain why in other cases; with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement people are born again and become decided Christians. We cannot define the manner in which the Spirit of God conveys life to a soul, and the exact process by which a believer receives a new nature. All these are hidden things to us. We see certain results, but we can go no further. 

This is deeply instructive. It is humbling no doubt to ministers, and teachers of others. The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success. God alone can give spiritual life! But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to excessive anxiety and despondency. Our principal work is to sow the seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result. We may leave our work with the Lord. He alone can, if He thinks fit, give success. 

[J. C. Ryle] 

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John 3:8 ... The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Romans 9:15 ...  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ❤

Splendid Sins ...

The holiest actions of the holiest saint that ever lived, are all more or less full of defects and imperfections. They are either wrong in their motive, or defective in their performance, and in themselves are nothing better than splendid sins, deserving God's wrath and condemnation.  To suppose that such actions can stand the severity of God's judgment, atone for sin, and merit Heaven is simply absurd! 

The only righteousness in which we can appear before God, is the righteousness of another even the perfect righteousness of our Substitute and Representative, Jesus Christ the Lord. His work, and not our work is our only title to Heaven. This is a truth which we should be ready to die to maintain! 

[J.C. Ryle] 

Galatians 2:16 ...  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

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Never!!!

Let every believer grasp these words and store them up in his heart. Keep them ready and have them fresh in your memory; you will need them one day. 

The Philistines will be upon you, the hand of sickness will lay you low, the king of terrors will draw near, the valley of the shadow of death will open up before your eyes. Then comes the hour when you will find nothing so comforting as a text like this, nothing so cheering as a real sense of God's companionship. Stick to that word, "never." It is worth its weight in gold. 

Cling to it as a drowning man clings to a rope. Grasp it firmly, as a soldier attacked on all sides grasps his sword. God has said, and He will stand to it, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." NEVER! 

Though your heart be often faint, and you are sick of self, and your many failures and infirmities overwhelm you- even then the promise will not fail. NEVER! 

Though the devil whispers, "I shall have you at last; yet a little time and your faith will fail, and you will be mine." Even then the Word of God will stand. NEVER! 

When the cold chill of death is creeping over you, and friends can do no more, and you are starting on that journey from which there is no return- even then Christ will not forsake you. NEVER! 

When the day of judgment comes, and the books are opened, and the dead are rising from their graves, and eternity is beginning even then the promise will bear all your weight; Christ will not leave His hold on your soul. 

Oh, believing reader, trust in the Lord forever, for He says, "I will never leave you." Lean back all your weight upon Him, do not be afraid. Glory in His promise. Rejoice in the strength of your consolation. 

[J. C. Ryle] 

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Hebrews 13:5-6 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will NEVER leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. ❤

"The Beauty of Holiness"

Holiness is the antithesis of sin; and the beauty of holiness is in direct contrast from the ugliness of sin. Sin is a deformity, a monstrosity. Sin is repulsive, repellent to the infinitely pure God: that is why He selected leprosy, the most loathsome and horrible of all diseases, to be its emblem. When the Prophet was Divinely inspired to depict the condition of degenerate Israel, it was in these words, "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores." (Isaiah 1:6) 

O that sin was sickening and hateful to us: not merely its grosser forms but sin itself. At the opposite extreme from the hideousness of sin is "the beauty of holiness." Holiness is lovely in the sight of God: necessarily so. It is the reflection of His own nature, for He is "glorious in holiness" (Exodus 15:11) 

O that it may be increasingly attractive to, and earnestly sought after, by us! 

[J. C. Ryle]

Psalm 29:2 ... Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

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Establishment By Faith

Establishment consists in holding fast our profession. We profess to believe the gospel all that it says regarding ourselves, our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, our foes, our trials. We profess to obey all that it requires, in the strength that it promises. Establishment includes, maintaining our character as the disciples of Christ, the holy ones, the children of God who imitate their Father who is in Heaven, the friends of God and the light of the world. 

Establishment involves perseverance in the paths of holiness, pressing toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, abounding in the work of the Lord. 

 

Establishment supposes the enjoyment of our privileges, such as peace with God, realizing the favor of God, rejoicing in God, walking in sweet fellowship with God, receiving grace from God, and even glorying in tribulation. 

Establishment is to include abiding in Christ as the branch in the vine; living with Christ as the wife with her husband; confiding in Christ as one in the friend which is as his own soul; deriving all from Christ as the member from union to the head. 

Establishment is to stand, to keep our post, fulfill our duties, adorn our profession, hold fast our principles, persevere in our work, and be steadfast in the Savior's cause. Establishment is only by faith. 

By faith we live. By faith we walk. By faith we overcome. By faith we receive the salvation of our souls. 

[J. C. Ryle] 

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2 Corinthians 1:24 ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ... (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Ephesians 2:8 ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ❤

Satan's Spiritual Dominion Over Young People

Matthew 17:18, "Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment!" 

We must not forget that there are still many instances of Satan's spiritual dominion over young people, which are quite as painful as the case described in this passage. There are thousands of young people who seem to have wholly given themselves up to Satan's temptations, and to be led captive at his will. 

They cast off all fear of God, and all respect for His commandments. They serve all kinds of wicked lusts and pleasures. They run wildly into every vile excess. They refuse to listen to the advice of parents, teachers or ministers. They fling aside all regard for health, character or worldly respectability. They do all that lies in their power to ruin themselves, body and soul, for time and eternity. They are willing slaves of Satan! Who has not seen such young people? They are to be seen in both town and in country. They are to be found among both rich and among poor. Surely such young people give mournful proof, that Satan still exercises a fearful dominion over many men's souls. Yet we must never despair, even over such young people as these. 

We must call to mind the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ. As bad as this boy's case was, of whom we read in these verses, he was "was healed from that moment" that he was brought to Christ! Parents, and teachers, and ministers should go on praying for young people, even at their worst. As hard as their hearts seem now, God may yet soften them. As desperate as their wickedness now appears, God may yet save them. God may yet grant them faith and repentance, and they may become trophies of His sovereign and saving grace. Who can tell? Let it be a settled principle with us when we read our Lord's miracles, never to despair of the conversion of ANY soul. 

[J. C. Ryle]

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Little Nook in the Very Heart of God

God's plan for every marriage is happiness. 

Marriage is meant to be a miniature of Heaven; a fragment of the celestial blessedness, let down into this world. Marriage is meant to be a little sanctuary, into which husband and wife may flee from earth's storms and dangers, where in love's shelter, their hearts fed with affection's daily bread-they may dwell in quiet peace. Marriage is meant to be a shelter in which, covered from the frosts of the world and shielded from its cold and tempests-two lives may grow together into richest beauty, realizing their sweetest dreams of happiness, blending in whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, and attaining the finest possibilities of godly character. Marriage is meant to be a holy ark, floating on the wild floods of human life-like Noah's ark on the deluge, bearing to Heaven's gates, to the harbor of glory-the lives which God has shut within its doors. 

A godly marriage is a little nook in the very heart of God, where faithful souls are held close to the Father's heart, and carried safely, amid dangers and sorrows, to the home above! 

[J.C. Ryle]

Ephesians 5:31 ... For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

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Reading the Bible

1. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it. Do not be content to just read the words of Scripture. Seek to grasp the message they contain.

2. Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility. Believe what God reveals. Our reason must bow to God's revelation.

3. Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application. Apply what God says to yourself and obey His will in all things.

4. Read the Holy Scriptures every day. We quickly lose the nourishment and strength of yesterday's food. We must feed our souls daily upon the manna God has given to us.

5. Read the whole Bible and read it in an orderly way. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." (2 Timothy 3:16) I know of no better way to read the Bible than to start at the beginning and read straight through to the end, a portion every day, comparing Scripture with Scripture.

6. Read the Word of God fairly and honestly. As a general rule, any passage of Scripture means what it appears to mean. Interpret every passage in this simple manner, in its context.

7. Read the Scriptures prayerfully, ever asking the Holy Spirit to illumine the Word. "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45) "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18)

8. Read the Bible with Christ constantly in view. The whole Book is about Him. Look for Him on every page. He is there. If you fail to see Him there, you need to read that page again.

[J. C. Ryle]

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Choked By Life's Worries, Riches and Pleasures!

The things of this life form one of the greatest dangers which beset a Christian's path. The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world these are so many traps to catch souls. Scandalous and loathsome sins are not the only thing that damn souls! 

Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent when followed to excess, become idols, and are little better than soul-poisons and helps to Hell! In the midst of our families, and in the pursuit of our lawful callings we have need to be on our guard. Unless we watch and pray, these temporal things may rob us of Heaven and choke out every sermon we hear. We may live and die, as thorny ground hearers. 

[J.C. Ryle] 

Luke 8:14 ... And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

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With Us Always!!

It is impossible to conceive words more comforting, more strengthening, more cheering, and more sanctifying than these. Though left alone, like orphan children in a cold, unkind world the disciples were not to think they were deserted. Their Master would be ever "with them." Though commissioned to do a work as hard as that of Moses when sent to Pharaoh, they were not to be discouraged. Their Master would certainly be "with them." No words could be imagined more consolatory to believers in every age of the world. 

Let all true Christians lay hold on these words and keep them in mind. Christ is "with us" always. Christ is "with us," wherever we go. He came to be "Emmanuel, God with us," when He first came into the world. He declares that He is ever "Emmanuel, God with us," when He comes to the end of His earthly ministry and is about to leave the world. He is with us daily, to pardon and forgive; with us daily, to sanctify and strengthen; with us daily, to defend and keep; with us daily, to lead and to guide; with us in sorrow, and with us in joy; with us in sickness, and with us in health; with us in life, and with us in death; with us in time, and with us in eternity. 

What stronger consolation could believers desire than this? Whatever happens, they are never completely friendless and alone. Christ is ever with them. They may look into the grave, and say with David, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me." They may look forward beyond the grave, and say with Paul, "we shall be with the Lord forever!" We could ask nothing more. None have such a King, such a Priest, such a constant Companion, and such an unfailing Friend, as the true servants of Christ. He has said it, and He will stand to it, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

[J.C. Ryle] 

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Matthew 28:20 ... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ❤

Horrible Shocking Thing!!

I know no greater proof of man's depravity, than the fact that thousands of so-called professing Christians see nothing lovely in the cross. Well may our hearts be called stony, well may the eyes of our mind be called blind, well may our whole nature be called diseased, well may we all be called dead in sin when the cross of Christ is heard of, and yet neglected! 

Surely, we may take up the words of the prophet, and say, "Hear, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth: A horrible and shocking thing is done!" Christ was crucified for sinners, and yet many professing Christians live as if He was never crucified at all! Would I know how exceedingly sinful and abominable sin is in the sight of God? Shall I turn to the history of the flood, and read how sin drowned the world? Shall I ponder what sin brought on Sodom and Gomorrah? No! I can find a clearer proof still I look at what happened on Calvary! 

There I see that sin is so black and damnable, that nothing but the blood of God's own Son can wash it away! There I see that sin has so separated me from my holy Maker, that all the angels in Heaven could never have made peace between us. Nothing could reconcile us, short of the death of Christ. Ah, if I listened to the wretched talk of proud men, I might sometimes imagine sin was not so very sinful; but I cannot think little of sin when I look at Calvary. I find no balm for a sore conscience and a troubled heart, like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree! 

There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts. When I look at the cross, I feel sure that there is a way to Heaven for the very vilest of men. Would I find strong reasons for being a holy man? I will look at Calvary and the crucifixion. There I see that Jesus gave Himself for me, not only to redeem me from iniquity but also to purify me. He bore my sins in His own body on the tree, that I being dead unto sin, should live unto righteousness. 

Ah, reader, there is nothing so sanctifying as a clear view of the cross of Christ! It crucifies the world unto us, and us unto the world. How can we love sin when we remember that because of our sins, Jesus died for our sin? Would I learn how to be contented and cheerful under all the cares and anxieties of life? What school shall I go to? How shall I attain this state of mind most easily? Shall I look at: the sovereignty of God, the wisdom of God, the providence of God, the love of God? It is well to do so. But I have a better argument still. 

I will look at Calvary and the crucifixion! I feel that He who did not spare His only begotten Son but delivered Him up to die for me will surely with Him, give me all things that I really need. He that endured that pain for my soul, will surely not withhold from me anything that is really good. He that has done the greater things for me, will doubtless do the lesser things also. He that gave His own blood to procure an eternal home for me, will unquestionably supply me with all that is really profitable for me along the way. Ah, reader, there is no school for learning contentment that can be compared with Calvary and the foot of the cross! 

 [J. C. Ryle]

Romans 5:8 ... But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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Recreations of The World

There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have and think they have enough. This cheap Christianity offends nobody and requires no sacrifice. It costs nothing and is worth nothing. The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus are indeed widely different. They are more than different they are flatly contradictory to each other. 

Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity! A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people! It costs something to be a true Christian! It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease, and our worldliness! 

The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in the heart of a growing Christian. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to Hell. He only feels these things have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections, and they gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes. 

[J. C. Ryle] 

1 John 2:15 ... Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

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Tools and Instruments!!

Let all true Christians lay these things to heart and take courage. We live in a world where all things are ordered by a hand of perfect wisdom; and where in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. The powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God. He is always using them for His own purposes, however little they may be aware of it. They are the instruments by which He is forever cutting and polishing the living stones of His spiritual temple and all their schemes and plans will only turn to His praise. 

Let us be patient in days of trouble and darkness and look forward. The very things which now seem against us are all working together for our good and God's glory! 

[J. C. Ryle]

Judges 6:13 ... And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

1 Peter 4:16 ... Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ❤

Thankfulness is ...

Thankfulness is a flower which will never bloom well except upon a root of deep humility.

[J. C. Ryle]

 

Proverbs 22:4 ... By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

James 4:10 ... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.❤

It's All Part of The Cross

Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that the true Christian must always enter the kingdom of God "through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22). If we are faithful and decided servants of Christ, the world will certainly hate us, as it hated our Master. In one way or another, true grace will always be persecuted. 

No consistency of conduct, however faultless; no kindness and amiability of character, however striking will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently. The children of Cain will hate the children of Abel, as long as the earth continues. "Marvel not, my brethren," says John, "if the world hates you." "If you were of the world," says our Lord, "the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world — therefore the world hates you!" (1 John 3:13; John 15:18-19) 

This world is not our home! Our best things are yet to come! 

[J.C. Ryle]

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We Ought to Hate it With a Deadly Hatred!

Let us never forget this solemn truth. The world around us is full of sorrow. Sickness, and pain, and infirmity, and poverty, and labor, and trouble abound on every side. From one end of the world to the other the history of families is full of lamentation, and weeping, and mourning, and woe. And whence does it all come? Sin is the fountain and root to which all must be traced. There would neither have been tears, nor illness, nor deaths, nor funerals in the earth if there had been no sin. We must bear this state of things patiently. We cannot alter it. 

We may thank God that there is a remedy in the Gospel, and that this present life is not all. But in the meantime, let us lay the blame at the right door. Let us lay the blame on sin. How much we ought to hate sin! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, dallying with it, excusing it, playing with it we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred! Sin is the great murderer, and thief, and pestilence, and nuisance of this world. Let us make no peace with it. Let us wage a ceaseless warfare against it. 

It is "the abominable thing which God hates!" Happy is he who is of one mind with God, and can say, I "abhor that which is evil." (Romans 12:9) 

[J.C. Ryle]

Acts 5:29 ... Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Isaiah 5:20 ... Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Psalm 97:10 ...  Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. ❤

Be The Light!!

Oh, that every true Christian would recollect that he is set as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark world and would labor so to live that every part of him may reflect light, and no side be dim! 

[J.C. Ryle]

Matthew 5:16 ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ❤

Something to Ponder ...

Six vital certainties: 

 1. Life is short and uncertain. 

 2. Death is sure. 

 3. Judgment is inevitable. 

 4. Sin is exceeding sinful. 

 5. Hell is a dreadful reality. 

 6. Christ alone can save you. 

[J.C. Ryle]

Acts 4:12 ...  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

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Every Day!!

True Christians have thoughts about Christ every day that they live, for this one simple reason - that they love Him! 

[J. C. Ryle]

1 John 4:19 ... We love him, because he first loved us. ❤

Worldly Doings

Give me a candle and a Bible, then shut me up in dark dungeon, and I will tell you everything that the whole world is doing. 

 [J.C. Ryle]

1 John 5:19 ... And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Matthew 18:7 ... Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

2 Corinthians 4:4 ... In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 7:7 ... The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.❤