The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
We must cast away everything which hinders us upon our road towards heaven – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life; the love of riches, pleasures and honors, the spirit of lukewarmness and carelessness and indifference about the things of God – all must be rooted out and forsaken if we are anxious for the prize. We must mortify the deeds of the body, we must crucify our affections for this world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the need to eliminate worldly distractions and desires in pursuit of spiritual fulfillment and a higher purpose.
J. C. Ryle argues that to achieve spiritual success and attain a heavenly reward, one must abandon earthly desires and distractions such as lust, pride, and the pursuit of wealth and pleasure. He stresses the importance of self-discipline and sacrifice, indicating that a deep commitment to spiritual matters requires rooting out any habits or attitudes that lead to indifference or lukewarmness towards God. The call to 'mortify the deeds of the body' signifies a need to overcome one's carnal inclinations in favor of a life directed towards higher spiritual goals.
Themes
SpiritualitySacrificeSelf-DisciplineDesiresCommitment
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about prioritizing spiritual growth over material wealth, this quote perfectly captures the essence of true devotion.
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
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
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