Another mark of "growth in grace" is increased holiness of life and conversation. The man whose soul is "growing" gets more dominion over sin, the world, and the devil every year. He becomes more careful about his temper, his words, and his actions. He is more watchful over his conduct in every relation of life. He strives more to be conformed to the image of Christ in all things, and to follow Him as his example, as well as to trust in Him as his Saviour. He is not content with old attainments and former grace. He forgets the things that are behind and reaches forth unto those things which are before, making "Higher!" "Upward!" "Forward!" "Onward!" his continual motto (Phil. 3:13). On earth he thirsts and longs to have a will more entirely in unison with God's will. In heaven the chief thing that he looks for, next to the presence of Christ, is complete separation from all sin. Would any one know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increased holiness.J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pp. 106-107.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Are You Growing in Grace? Part 3
From J.C. Ryle:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Just wanted to make a brief comment that it's been nice reading your frequent quotes. I'm reading the same book right now, and you're a little ahead of me, so it excites me for what's in store!
Grace and peace~
I must confess that I jumped in at chapter six, because that's the chapter our small group was in when we joined. I did read the introduction and most of chapter one, though. So your behind me AND ahead of me. Are you reading it for a class?
Yes, I'm reading it for my counseling class with Dr. Scott. The Introduction alone had me hooked!! I've read through "Sin," "Sanctification," and "Holiness." We're supposed to read through to page 160.-- is that Chapter 6?
That's exciting that your small group is reading it together!
Chapter six on Growth ends on p. 118. Chapter seven on Assurance goes from pp. 119-160. We're supposed to read that for our next small group meeting. So I guess we're right in the same place! Forty pages is nothing when you enjoy what you're reading!
I know what you mean!! Ryle's book has sparked much conversation wtih a girl I both have classes with and work with. Such a book really reminds one of what it means to really "soak up" a godly author's reflections on such crucial aspects of the Christian life.
On another note, I hope you and Gret have been enjoying your small group!
Post a Comment