Required reading
Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)- Read Chapter 2, 'Sanctification'.
My summary
Now Ryle looks at sanctification.
Firstly looks at the nature of sanctification:
(i) Sanctification is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian;
(ii) Sanctification is the outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration;
(iii) Sanctification is the only certain evidence of that indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is essential to salvation;
(iv) Sanctification is the only sure mark of God's election;
(v) Sanctification is a thing that will always be seen;
(vi) Sanctification is a thing for which every believer is responsible;
(vii) Sanctification is a thing which admits of growth and degrees;
(viii) Sanctification is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of scriptural means;
(ix) Sanctification is a thing which does not prevent a man having a great deal of inward spiritual conflict;
(x) Sanctification is a thing which cannot justify a man and yet it pleases God;
(xi) Sanctification is a thing which will be found absolutely necessary as a witness to our character in the great day of judgement;
(xii) Sanctification is absolutely necessary in order to train and prepare us for heaven.
Secondly, Ryle discusses visible evidence of sanctification:
(i) True sanctification does not consist in talk about religion;
(ii) True sanctification does not consist in temporary religious feelings;
(iii) True sanctification does not consist in outward formalism and external devoutness;
(iv) Sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life, and the renunciation of our social duties;
(v) Sanctification does not consist in the occasional performance of right actions;
(vi) 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;
(vii) Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual endeavour to do Christ's will and to live by his practical precepts;
(viii) Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual desire to live up to the standard which St Paul sets before the churches in his writings;
(ix) Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the active graces which our Lord so beautifully exemplified, and especially to the grace of charity;
(x) Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the passive graces of Christianity.
Finally, Ryle looks at the distinctions between justification and sanctification.
What grabbed me
I liked the point that sanctification makes us ready for heaven: 'Most men hope to go to heaven when they die, but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there. Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants are all holy; its occupations are all holy. To be really happy in heaven, it is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on earth.'
Clear and simple message - if you don't want to be holy now, you're going to not enjoy heaven.
Next week's reading
Chapter Three, 'Holiness'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
Firstly looks at the nature of sanctification:
(i) Sanctification is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian;
(ii) Sanctification is the outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration;
(iii) Sanctification is the only certain evidence of that indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is essential to salvation;
(iv) Sanctification is the only sure mark of God's election;
(v) Sanctification is a thing that will always be seen;
(vi) Sanctification is a thing for which every believer is responsible;
(vii) Sanctification is a thing which admits of growth and degrees;
(viii) Sanctification is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of scriptural means;
(ix) Sanctification is a thing which does not prevent a man having a great deal of inward spiritual conflict;
(x) Sanctification is a thing which cannot justify a man and yet it pleases God;
(xi) Sanctification is a thing which will be found absolutely necessary as a witness to our character in the great day of judgement;
(xii) Sanctification is absolutely necessary in order to train and prepare us for heaven.
Secondly, Ryle discusses visible evidence of sanctification:
(i) True sanctification does not consist in talk about religion;
(ii) True sanctification does not consist in temporary religious feelings;
(iii) True sanctification does not consist in outward formalism and external devoutness;
(iv) Sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life, and the renunciation of our social duties;
(v) Sanctification does not consist in the occasional performance of right actions;
(vi) 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;
(vii) Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual endeavour to do Christ's will and to live by his practical precepts;
(viii) Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual desire to live up to the standard which St Paul sets before the churches in his writings;
(ix) Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the active graces which our Lord so beautifully exemplified, and especially to the grace of charity;
(x) Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the passive graces of Christianity.
Finally, Ryle looks at the distinctions between justification and sanctification.
Clear and simple message - if you don't want to be holy now, you're going to not enjoy heaven.
Next week's reading
Chapter Three, 'Holiness'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
3 comments:
Upon reading the second chapter the thing that stood out to me was that Ryle certainly does not mince words! He is bold in stating that if one is a true convert, then the process of sanctification will certainly be seen in their life. Ryle does not make this claim based on his own thoughts or opinions, but rather he bases his premise on the truth of God’s Word. Some of the references Ryle cites are found in 1 John and this is especially important for me because how little we hear these passages expounded these days. Finally, I enjoyed Ryle’s difference between justification and sanctification.
from Margo
I like the way Ryle sets out his points; and how he says that sanctification is not an enemy but a friend.
I also liked his point on visible evidence of sanctification - a great checklist!
And I found it very helpful that he shows me how justification and sanctification agree and how they differ eg. justification is something that happens once and sanctification is for the rest of my life.
I really enjoyed point 4 that Jesus prays. 'Sanctify them' and as Ryle says, 'He is willing to help everyone who by faith applies to Him for help and desires to be made more holy.'
Joel, I just had to smile at Ryle's comments about Owen!
Andrew,
Nice point about 1 John. You can't read that epistle without hitting sanctification in every other verse.
It's my place of choice to take anyone questioning whether they need to love their brothers and sisters.
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