Holiness - Ryle - VII - Chapter 6

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

My summary
Now Ryle turns to the subject of the growth of the Christian.

Firstly he demonstrates that growth is a reality and should be seen.

Secondly, Ryle gives marks of religious growth, increased:
(i) humility;
(ii) faith and love towards Jesus;
(iii) holiness of life and conversation;
(iv) spirituality of taste and mind;
(v) charity;
(vi) zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls.

Finally Ryle looks at the means of religious growth:
(i) diligence in the use of private means of grace (e.g. private prayer, Bible reading, meditation, self examination);
(ii) carefulness in the use of public means of grace (e.g. involvement with a visible church);
(iii) watchfulness over conduct in the little matters of everyday life;
(iv) caution about the company we keep;
(v) regular and habitual communion with Jesus.

What grabbed me
I was most struck by the point about an increase of spirituality of taste and mind as a mark of growth: 'The man whose soul is growing takes more interest in spiritual things every year. He does not neglect his duty in the world. He discharges faithfully, diligently and conscientiously every relation of life, whether at home or abroad. But the things he loves best are spiritual things. The ways and fashions and amusements and recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in his heart. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to hell. He only feels that they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes. Spiritual companions, spiritual occupations, spiritual conversation appear of ever–increasing value to him. Would anyone know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing spirituality of taste.'

Without trying to sound pious, this is one point that I have observed in my own life.  There has been a gradual disinterestedness in things that used to amuse me greatly.  For example, at one point you couldn't get me away from the Nintendo 64, then the Gamecube and then the Xbox.  Now, I have no desire (absolutely none) to play any of them.  Not because I condemned them as sinful and made a decision to not play them.  But, as Ryle says, my tastes have changed. 

Thanks be to God and may it continue happening!

Next week's reading
Chapter 7, 'Assurance'.

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