Holiness - Ryle - IV - Chapter 3

Required reading
Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 3, 'Holiness'.

My summary

In the last chapter Ryle approached holiness 'from a doctrinal side' while in today's Chapter he tries to present it in 'a more plain and practical point of view'.

First he looks at the nature of true practical holiness.  A holy man will:
(i) be in the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind in Scripture;
(ii) endeavor to shun every known sin and to keep every known commandment;
(iii) strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ;
(iv) follow after meekness, patience, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue;
(v) follow after temperance and self–denial;
(vi) follow after charity and brotherly kindness;
(vii) follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others;
(viii) follow after purity of heart;
(ix) follow after the fear of God;
(x) follow after humility;
(xi) follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations in life;
(xii) follow after spiritual–mindedness.

Next Ryle looks at the importance of practical holiness.  Ryle says that we must be holy because:
(i)  the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it;
(ii) this is the one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world;
(iii) this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ;
(iv)  this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity;
(v) this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God;
(vi) this is the most likely way to do good to others;
(vii) our present comfort depends much upon it;
(viii) without holiness on earth we will never be prepared to enjoy heaven.

Finally Ryle gives a few words by way of application:
(i) The most pertinent question to ask is this: "Are you holy?"
(ii) Do you think you feel the importance of holiness as much as you should?
(iii) Would you be holy? Would you become a new creature? Then you must begin with Christ.

What grabbed me
I liked the emphasis that Ryle placed on the importance of holiness as a gospel witness: 'Our lives will always be doing either good or harm to those who see them. They are a silent sermon which all can read. It is sad indeed when they are a sermon for the devil’s cause, and not for God’s. I believe that far more is done for Christ’s kingdom by the holy living of believers than we are at all aware of. There is a reality about such living which makes men feel and obliges them to think. It carries a weight and influence with it which nothing else can give. It makes religion beautiful and draws men to consider it, like a lighthouse seen afar off. The day of judgment will prove that many besides husbands have been won "without the Word" by a holy life (1 Pet. 3:1). You may talk to persons about the doctrines of the gospel, and few will listen, and still fewer understand. But your life is an argument that none can escape. There is a meaning about holiness which not even the most unlearned can help taking in. They may not understand justification, but they can understand charity.'

What an excellent reason to be holy - you can help save people from hell!

Next week's reading
Chapter 4, 'The fight'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.