The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
He does not regard the quantity of faith, but the quality. He does not measure its degree, but its truth. He will not break any bruised reed, nor quench any smoking flax. He will never let it be said that any perished at the foot of the cross.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of the quality and truth of faith over its mere quantity or intensity.
J. C. Ryle's quote reflects a profound understanding of faith, suggesting that it is not the amount of faith one possesses that matters, but rather the authenticity and integrity of that faith. The imagery of not breaking a bruised reed or quenching smoking flax symbolizes the gentle care and compassion in nurturing faith, indicating that even the weakest of believers are valued and cannot be lost at the foot of the cross, underscoring the inclusive and understanding nature of true belief.
Themes
FaithQualityTruthCompassionBelief
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon to illustrate the strength of belief in difficult times.
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.
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