Holiness; 3. Holiness (Practical) part 1; JC Ryle

On to chapter 3, titled 'Holiness' in our weekly reading with Challies.com 's Reading Group. I am now convinced more than ever that this book is a definite must for every household along with the Bible, and a copy of the Westminster Confession. Chapter 3 'Holiness' or 'Practical Holiness' I. What true practical holiness is - What sort of persons are those whom God calls holy a) holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God Habit of: agreeing in God's judgement hating what He hates loving what He loves measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word "He who most entirely agrees with God, he is the most holy man." b) a holy man will endeavour to shun every known sin, and to keep every known commandment He will have: a decided bent of mind toward God a hearty desire to do His will a greater fear of displeasing Him than of displeasing the world a love to all His ways "I delight in the law of God after the inward man" (Rm. 7:22). "I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right. And I hate every false way" (Psm. 119:128). c) a holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ He will be as Jesus was: by living the life of faith in Him by drawing from Him all his daily peace and strength by labouring to have the mind that Jesus has by conforming to His image by being unselfish by walking in love by being lowly-minded and humble by being a faithful witness for the truth by not doing your own by knowing it is your meat and drink to do your Father's will by continually denying yourself in order to minister to others by being meek and patient by thinking more of godly poor men than of kings by being full of love and compassion by being bold and uncompromising in denouncing sin by seeking NOT the praise of men by going about doing good by seperating from worldly people by being continued instant in prayer by NOT even allowing your nearest relations stand in your way when God's work has to be done "These things a holy man will try to remember and by them he will endeavour to shape his course of life." "Happy is he who has learned to make Christ his "all," both for salvation AND example!" d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Holiness; 2. Sanctification (third point and chapter completion), JC Ryle

In the second chapter, bishop Ryle brings us to Sanctification. He works through three sub-topics and several sub-topics within these three sub-topics. The three are: I. The True Nature of Sanctification; II. The Visible Marks of Sanctification; III. Wherein justification and sanctification agree and are like one another, and wherein they differ and are unlike. In his third point, the distinction between justification and sanctification, the Bishop shares his view of the 'similarities and differences' of justification and sanctification. I found this very helpful. So I shall touch on what he wrote here but not in detail. - They are alike as: 1) Both proceed originally from the free grace of God 2) Both are part of that great work of salvation 3) Both are to be found in the same persons 4) Both begin at the same time 5) Both are alike necessary to salvation - They differ as: 1) Justification is the reckoning; Sanctification is the actual making 2) The righteousness we have by our justification is not our own; The righteousness we have by sanctificatiom is our own righteousness . . . BUT mingled with much infirmity and imperfection 3) In justification our own works have no place at all; in sanctification our own works are of vast importance . . . 4) Justification is a finished and complete work; Sanctification is an imperfect work, comparatively, and will never be perfected until we reach heaven 5) Justification admits of no growth or increase; Sanctification is eminently a progressive work 6) Justification has special reference to our persons, our standing in God's sight. And our deliverance from guilt. Sanctification has special reference to our natures, and the moral renewals of our hearts 7) Justification gives us our title in heaven, and boldness to enter in; Sanctification gives us our meetness for heaven, and prepares us to enjoy it when we dwell there 8) Justification is the act of God about us, and not easily discerned by others; Sanctification is the work of God within us, cannot be hid in its outward manifestation from the yes of men The Bishop writes, "It can never be too strongly impressed on our minds that they are two seperate things." *Application* "What practical reflections ought the whole matter to raise in our minds,?" 1) Let us all awake to a sense of the perilous state of many professing Christians (Heb. 12:14); "Oh that preachers and teachers would open their eyes and realize the condition of souls around them!" 2) Let us make sure of our own condition, AND never rest till we feel and know that we are "sanctified" ourselves 3) We must begin with Christ 4) If we grow in holiness . . ., we must continually go on as we began (Eph. 4:16); "Believers who seem at a standstill are generally neglecting close communion with Jesus". Jesus is "willing to help everyone who by faith applies to Him for help, and desires to be made more holy." 5) Let us not expect too much from our own hearts here below. The more light we have, the more we shall see our own imperfection. "Sinners we were when we began, sinners we shall find ourselves as we go on; renewed, pardoned, justified - yet sinners to the very last." 6) Let us never be ashamed of making much of sanctification, AND contending for a high standard of holiness; . . . - let us stand fast in the old paths, follow after eminent holiness ourselves, and receommend it boldly yo others. Bishop Ryle goes on to close by stating, "the man who gets through life most comfortably is the sanctified man." He is not saying there will be no trials, difficulties,etc, but that your perspective and ability to endure it is more fully prepared as you continue to walk, grow and be sanctified (Prov. 3:17; Psm. 119:165; Mt. 11:30; Isa. 48:22). He closes with a P. S. and recommends Mr. John Owen's writing on "The Holy Spirit" which offers greater depth of this subkect matter. Tolle Lege Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Holiness, JC Ryle; Sanctification, second point

In the second chapter, bishop Ryle brings us to Sanctification. He works through three sub-topics and several sub-topics within these three sub-topics. The three are: I. The True Nature of Sanctification; II. The Visible Marks of Sanctification; III. Wherein justification and sanctification agree and are like one another, and wherein they differ and are unlike. In his second point, the visible evidence (marks) of sanctification, the Bishop has 10 sub-points to bring to our attention, which I will provide here but not in detail, so you may "take up and read" further yourself. 1) True Sanctification does not consist in talk about religion (I Jn 3:18). 2) True Sanctification does not consist in temporary religious feelings (Mt. 13:20). "Reaction , after false religious excitement, is a most deadly disease of soul." 3) True Sanctification does not consist in outward formalism and external devoutness. 4) True Sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life and the renunciation of our social duties (Jn 17:15). "True holiness does not make a Christian evade difficulties, but face and overcome them." 5) True Sanctification does not consist in the occasional performance of right actions (II Chron. 31:21; Psm. 119:104). 6) Genuine Sanctification will show itself in habitual respect to God's law AND habitual effort to live in obedience to it as the rule of life (I Tim. 1:8; Rm. 7:22). 7) Genuine Sanctification will show itself in an habitual endeavour to do Christ's will, and to live by his practical precepts (Jn. 15:14). 8) Genuine Sanctification will show itself in an habitual desire to live up to the standard which St. Paul sets before the Churches. 9) Genuine Sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the active graces which our Lord so beautifully exemplified (Jn 13:34-35). "Saving faith and real converting grace will always produce some conformity to the image of Jesus (Col. 3:10). 10) Genuine Sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the passive graces of Christianity (Gal. 5:22-23). Passive graces would consist of long-suffering, gentleness, and meekness. "The passive graces are no doubt harder to attain than the active ones, BUT they are precisely the graces which have the greatest influence on the world." Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Holiness; Chapter 2 "Sanctification"

In the second chapter, bishop Ryle brings us to Sanctification. He works through three sub-topics and several sub-topics within these three sub-topics. The three are: I. The True Nature of Sanctification; II. The Visible Marks of Sanctification; III. Wherein justification and sanctification agree and are like one another, and wherein they differ and are unlike. In just the first section the Bishop brings us 12 connected propositions or statements, drawn from Scripture, to help define the exact nature of sanctification. They are: (1) Sanctification is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian (John 15:5). (2) Sanctification is the outcome and inseperable consequence of regeneration (I John 2:29; 3:9-14; 5:4-18). (3) Sanctification is the only certain evidence of that indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is essential to salvation (Romans 8:9). (4) Sanctification is the only sure mark of God's election (I Peter 1:2; II Thess. 2:13; Romans 8:29; Eph. 1:4; I Thess. 1:3, 4). (5) Sanctification is a thing that will always be seen (Luke 6:44). (6) Sanctification is a thing for which every believer is responsible (Matthew 16:26). (7) Sanctification is a thing which admits of growth and degrees (John 17:17; I Thess. 5:23). (8) Sanctification is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of Scriptural means. "Means" meaning: Bible-reading, private prayer, regular attendance on public worship, regular hearing of God's Word, regular reception of the Lord's Supper. (9) Sanctification is a thing which does not prevent a man having a great deal of inward spiritual conflict (Gal. 5:17). (10) Sanctification is a thing which cannot justify a man, and yet it pleases God (Romans 3:20-28). (11) Sanctification is a thing which will be found absolutely necessary as a witness to our character in the great day of judgment (John 5:29; II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:13). (12) Sanctification is absolutely necessary in order to train and prepare us for heaven. Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants holy; its occupations are all holy. We must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on earth. We must be saints before we die, if we are to be saints afterwards in glory. I am not even on to the next section and already feel as if I need to stop right now and do some regurgitating (sp?). Is any of this tempting you to go out and get the book and tolle lege?