The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
Without a thorough conviction of sin, men may seem to come to Jesus and follow Him for a season, but they will soon fall away and return to the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True faith requires a deep understanding of one's own shortcomings.
This quote by J. C. Ryle emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own sinful nature as a crucial step in genuinely following Jesus. Without acknowledging and feeling conviction for one's sins, any apparent commitment to faith may be superficial and temporary, leading ultimately to a return to worldly ways when challenges arise.
Themes
FaithConvictionSinSpiritualityCommitment
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about the importance of understanding our faults, this quote could be used to inspire deep self-reflection.
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.
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
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