In The True Christian , Ryle details many more ways in which Christians can be uncompromising in their biblical principles.
Speaker and writer J. C. Ryle once said, ''The man who hears the word of God, and does it, is the true Christian. He hears the call of God to repent and be converted, and he obeys it. He ceases to do evil, and learns to do well. He puts off the old man, and puts on the new. He hears the call of God to believe on Jesus Christ for justification, and he obeys it.''
An excellent collection of messages. Highly recommend to those who want to add to the growth of knowledge in God and aren’t looking for a watered down Gospel or messages that will simply scratch itching ears. Published in 1900 but relevant today! Listened on Audible.
you can never go wrong with Ryle.... i had never heard (i don't think) of this title by Ryle.... each chapter is like a long sermon with so much teaching, so much begging to truth! i listened on audible - unabridged.... finished it in 2 days... just couldn't put it down! and when it finished... i still wanted to listen. so the next day, i started it again :)
great theology. you can hear scripture coming through as he explains. a must read for any believer!
now i need a print or kindle copy... cant seem to find one...
“He gave us his Son— can anything give us a more tender expression of love?” “Many aching hearts under silk& satin… but to the heavy laden & wear souls, to you Jesus speaks…” listened to the audiobook while doing monotonous work (or else my quotes would be plentiful)… maybe one of my favorite books?? Ryle convicts the nonbeliever and believer to forsake pride and temporal treasures for that which neither rust nor moths can destroy— was humbled by my many distractions and idols that cling so closely.
I have yet to read anything by Ryle that isn't convicting and immensely helpful. This one is no different. Ryle does for us like the puritan prayer requests, to "take us to the cross and leave us there."
Before I listened to this book, I didn’t realize that it was actually a collection of sermons by Ryle. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to hear these sermons. Even though I was not able to hear his actual voice and tone, it was still such a great insight into Ryle’s heart as a pastor who truly cared for his flock. He was very bold and spoke truth while at the same time showing his love for his parishioners. I really loved listening to these sermons and I have yet to read or listen to anything from JC Ryle that I didn’t absolutely love. This man was a blessing.
Wonderful book once again by Ryle! I especially appreciated his last chapter on assurance. Ryle makes certain pastoral connections between assurance of salvation and various other relational and doctrinal aspects of the Christian life. Two stood out in particular. 1. Ryle debunks the false notion of a humble person not being able to have assurance. The thought is that assurance of salvation is somehow prideful or fool hearty. Ryle rightly points out that assurance of salvation, like justification, is a gift from God and a mark of spiritual maturity. He points to Paul, Peter, and Job as three examples of humble men that had deep conviction of their salvation in Christ. It is a false notion that assurance is wrapped up in the power of the man to keep his own salvation. Rather, the certainty of our salvation is founded in God alone. 2. Ryle makes an intriguing connection between the doctrine of assurance and worldliness. He contends that the spiritual immaturity of never coming to a settled assurance of one’s spiritual state effects how we deal with sin and the temptation to stray from holy living in Christ. This uncertainty, Ryle states, is often oppressive is the sense that the impossibility of overcoming one’s own sin when he/she doesn’t even know if that are saved leads to an inevitable loss against the fight with sin. This leads to further worldliness, indulgence in sin, and thus less assurance. If true, and I contend he is correct in his assessment, this cyclical pattern of winning due to a lack of assurance that produces even assurance still produces a weak believer. Although the blood of Christ covers their sin, they can never be assured that this blood has been applied to them and thus struggle through the Christian life.
Like every one of JC Ryle's works that I have read, this was powerful, thought out and beautifully inspiring to think more on the things of Jesus and pursue Him more. I am thankful to have stumbled upon this a few weeks ago because it has been a blessing, slowly listening to it through this last month.
Ryle is very easy and solid to read and every believer can gain much from this book. It will strengthen any who fit the bill of the true Christian he described and challenge those who do not to join those ranks.
A series of sermons by J. C. Ryle, that begins with "The New Birth" and proceeds the marks of a true Christian. I am from a different theological background than Ryle, but I found this interesting and enlightening. It was an enjoyable and interesting book, and I am glad that I listened to it.
A wonderful series of sermons on what it means to be a Christian. I'm always fascinated by how easily Ryle is able to blend theology with pastoral insight.
He speaks encouraging and exhorting truth so clearly. I’m so glad that I picked up this book while I was getting complacent with my faith… This was my first Ryle book - but won’t be the last!
The pietistic part of me is fed. Now need to read something else to balance. This kind of preaching -- sobering and challenging -- is sorely absent these days.