The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of personal growth in spiritual and moral dimensions.
J. C. Ryle's quote emphasizes the idea that true spiritual growth involves a deepening awareness of one's shortcomings, an increasing strength of faith, a brighter outlook on hope, and a broader capacity for love. It suggests that as individuals progress in their spiritual journey, they become more attuned to their inner lives and responsibilities, ultimately leading to a more meaningful existence.
Themes
Spiritual GrowthGraceFaithHopeLoveSelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a sermon to encourage congregants to reflect on their spiritual journey.
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.
J. C. RyleRead
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
J. C. RyleRead
Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity!
J. C. RyleRead
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
If anyone feels his sins, let him come at once, straight, direct, not merely to church, or to the sacrament, or to repentance, or to prayer, but to Christ Himself.
J. C. RyleRead
Similar quotes
If, however, you take a moment to observe how you actually feel immediately after you criticise someone, you'll notice that you will feel a little deflated and ashamed, almost like you're the one who has been attacked. The reason this is true is that when we criticise, it's a statement to the world and to ourselves, "I have a need to be critical." This isn't something we are usually proud to admit.
Richard CarlsonRead
What happened to the writer is not what matters; what matters is the large sense that the writer is able to make of what happened.
Vivian GornickRead
Not knowing of the eternal leads to unfortunate errors.
LaoziRead
One is wise to cultivate the tree that bears fruit in our soul.
Henry David ThoreauRead
The most important thing is insight, that is to be - curious - to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does.
William FaulknerRead
It is easy enough to be virtuous When nothing tempts you to stray; When without or within No voice of sin Is luring your soul away. But it is only a negative virtue until it is tried by fire. For the soul that is worth the treasures of the earth is the soul that resists desire.
Ella Wheeler WilcoxRead