The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
Doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does positive harm. Something of 'the image of Christ' must be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Doctrine alone has no value unless it is reflected in a pure and holy life.
This quote emphasizes the importance of living out one's beliefs and doctrines through actions and character. It suggests that simply holding onto religious or moral doctrines is insufficient; instead, those beliefs must be manifested in tangible ways that others can observe and learn from, ultimately reflecting the image of Christ in one's daily life.
Themes
DoctrineHoly LifeCharacterActionsBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
In a church sermon discussing the importance of living a life that reflects one's faith.
More from J. C. Ryle
All quotes →Good hymns are an immense blessing to the Church. They train people for heaven, where praise is one of the principal occupations.
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When I speak of a man growing in grace, I mean simply this - that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual mindedness more marked.
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Those who confine God's love exclusively to the elect appear to me to take a narrow and contracted view of God's character and attributes....I have long come to the conclusion that men may be _x000D_ more systematic in their statements than the Bible, and may be led into grave error by idolatrous veneration of a system
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Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity!
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Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached...let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we will hear with profit, and return with praise.
J. C. RyleRead
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