Practical Religion - Ryle - XII - Chapter 11

Required reading
Practical Religion by JC Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 11 (The world).

My summary
Now Ryle unpacks what it means to come out from the world.

Firstly he demonstrates from Scripture and experience that the world is a source of great danger to the soul.

Secondly Ryle looks at what does not constitute separation from the world.  It does not mean Christians:
(i) ought to give up all worldly callings, trades, professions, and business;
(ii) decline all intercourse with unconverted people and refuse to go into their society;
(iii) ought to take no interest in anything on earth except religion;
(iv) should be strange and odd in their dress, manners, demeanor, and voice;
(v) ought to retire from the company of mankind, and shut themselves up in solitude;
(vi) ought to withdraw from every Church in which there are unconverted members, or to refuse to worship in company with any who are not believers, or to keep away from the Lord's table if any ungodly people go up to it.

Thirdly Ryle shows what is true separation from the world. It means the Christian must:
(i) steadily and habitually refuse to be guided by the world's standard of right and wrong;
(ii) be very careful how he spends his leisure time;
(iii) steadily and habitually determine not to be swallowed up and absorbed in the business of the world;
(iv) steadily abstain from all amusements and recreations which are inseparably connected with sin;
(v) be moderate in the use of lawful and innocent recreations;
(vi) be careful in friendships, intimacies, and close relationships with worldly people.

Fourthly Ryle lets us in on the secrets of real victory over the world:
(i) a right heart;
(ii) a lively practical faith;
(iii) the habit of boldly confessing Christ.

What grabbed me
Great chapter.  I was encouraged to not neglect an interest in those things which are not directly spiritual: 'To neglect science, art, literature, and politics--to read nothing which is not directly spiritual--to know nothing about what is going on among mankind, and never to look at a newspaper--to care nothing about the government of one's country, and to be utterly indifferent as to the persons who guides it, counsels and make its laws--all this may seem very right and proper in the eyes of some people. But I think that it is an idle, selfish neglect of duty. Paul knew the value of good government as one of the main helps to our "living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:2). Paul was not ashamed to read heathen writers, and to quote their words in his speeches and writings. Paul did not think it beneath him to show an acquaintance with the laws and customs and callings of the world, in the illustrations he gave from them.'

I always face the temptation to not take an interest in the world, particularly to not read outside theological works.  But if I am to have any success in winning people for Christ, I need to have some knowledge of the world in which they live.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 12 (Riches and poverty).

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