A book club to encourage reading of Reformed Christian Classics at around 10-20 pages a time.
April 16, 2010
Holiness - Ryle - XV - Chapter 14
Required reading Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 14, 'Visible churches warned'. My summary Today we are taught from the seven letters to the churches in Revelation.
Ryle asks he readers to observe that: 1. the Lord Jesus, in all the seven epistles, speaks of nothing but matters of doctrine, practice, warning and promise; 2. in every epistle the Lord Jesus says, ‘I know your works’. That repeated expression is very striking. It is not for nothing that we read these words seven times over; 3. in every epistle the Lord Jesus makes a promise to the man that overcomes.
What grabbed me Although Jesus knowing our works stands as a warning, I appreciated how Ryle also suggested that it is an encouragement: 'But think also, what encouragement there is here for every honest and true–hearted believer. To you also, Jesus says, ‘I know your works’. You see no beauty in any action that you do. All seems imperfect, blemished and defiled. You are often sick at heart of your own shortcomings. You often feel that your whole life is one great arrear, and that every day is either a blank or a blot. But know now, that Jesus can see some beauty in everything that you do from a conscientious desire to please Him. His eye can discern excellence in the least thing which is a fruit of His own Spirit. He can pick out the grains of gold from amid the dross of your performances, and sift the wheat from amid the chaff in all your doings. Your tears are all put into His bottle. Your endeavors to do good to others, however feeble, are written in His book of remembrance. The least cup of cold water given in His name shall not lose its reward. He does not forget your work and labor of love, however little the world may regard it.'
Jesus remembers the good that we do and covers the dross with his grace.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 15 ('Lovest thou me') and Chapter 16 ('Without Christ).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
1 comment:
Margo
said...
Chapter 14 I found this chapter helpful as it lead me into chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation. Ryle is very encouraging on the text that Jesus ‘knows our works’: But whatever the works of a professing Christian may be, Jesus says, ‘I know them!’ His eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3). You never did an action, however private, but Jesus saw it. You never spoke a word, no, not even in a whisper, but Jesus heard it. You never wrote a letter, even to your dearest friend, but Jesus read it. You never thought a thought, however secret, but Jesus was familiar with it. His eyes are as a flaming fire. The darkness is no darkness with Him. All things are open and manifest before Him. He says to every one, ‘I know your works’
But think also, what encouragement there is here for every honest and true–hearted believer. To you also, Jesus says, ‘I know your works’. You see no beauty in any action that you do. All seems imperfect, blemished and defiled. You are often sick at heart of your own shortcomings. You often feel that your whole life is one great arrear, and that every day is either a blank or a blot. But know now, that Jesus can see some beauty in everything that you do from a conscientious desire to please Him. His eye can discern excellence in the least thing which is a fruit of His own Spirit. He can pick out the grains of gold from amid the dross of your performances, and sift the wheat from amid the chaff in all your doings. Your tears are all put into His bottle. Your endeavors to do good to others, however feeble, are written in His book of remembrance. The least cup of cold water given in His name shall not lose its reward. He does not forget your work and labor of love, however little the world may regard it.
1 comment:
Chapter 14
I found this chapter helpful as it lead me into chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation. Ryle is very encouraging on the text that Jesus ‘knows our works’:
But whatever the works of a professing Christian may be, Jesus says, ‘I know them!’ His eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3). You never did an action, however private, but Jesus saw it. You never spoke a word, no, not even in a whisper, but Jesus heard it. You never wrote a letter, even to your dearest friend, but Jesus read it. You never thought a thought, however secret, but Jesus was familiar with it. His eyes are as a flaming fire. The darkness is no darkness with Him. All things are open and manifest before Him. He says to every one, ‘I know your works’
But think also, what encouragement there is here for every honest and true–hearted believer. To you also, Jesus says, ‘I know your works’. You see no beauty in any action that you do. All seems imperfect, blemished and defiled. You are often sick at heart of your own shortcomings. You often feel that your whole life is one great arrear, and that every day is either a blank or a blot. But know now, that Jesus can see some beauty in everything that you do from a conscientious desire to please Him. His eye can discern excellence in the least thing which is a fruit of His own Spirit. He can pick out the grains of gold from amid the dross of your performances, and sift the wheat from amid the chaff in all your doings. Your tears are all put into His bottle. Your endeavors to do good to others, however feeble, are written in His book of remembrance. The least cup of cold water given in His name shall not lose its reward. He does not forget your work and labor of love, however little the world may regard it.
I can only go, “WOW!’
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