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.
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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!
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
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