“Above all, I want all Christians to understand what they must expect in other believers. You must not hastily conclude that a man has no grace merely because you see in him some corruption. There are spots on the face of the sun; and yet the sun shines brightly and enlightens the whole world. There is quartz and dross mixed up with many a lump of gold that comes from Australia; and yet who thinks the gold on that account worth anything at all? There are flaws in some of the finest diamonds in the world; and yet they do not prevent their being rated at a priceless value. Away with this morbid squeamishness that makes men ready to excommunicate a man if he only has a few faults! Let us be more quick to see grace and more slow to see imperfections! Let us know that, if we cannot allow there is grace where there is corruption, we shall find no grace in the world. We are yet in the body. The devil is not dead. We are not yet like the angels. Heaven has not yet begun. The leprosy is not out of the walls of the house, however much we may scrape them, and never will be till the house is taken down. Our bodies are indeed the temple of the Holy Ghost, but not a perfect temple until they are raised or changed. Grace is indeed a treasure, but a treasure in earthen vessels. It is possible for a man to forsake all for Christ’s sake, and yet to be overtaken occasionally with doubts and fears.”
“I beseech every reader of this book to remember this. It is a lesson worth attention. The Apostles believed in Christ, loved Christ, and grave up all to follow Christ. And yet you see in this storm the Apostles were afraid. Learn to be charitable in your judgment of them. Learn to be moderate in your expectations from your own heart. Contend to the death for the truth that no man is a true Christian who is not converted, and is not a holy man. But allow that man may be converted, have a new heart, and be a holy man, and yet be liable to infirmity, doubts, and fears.“
– J.C. Ryle, Holiness: It’s Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, pages 208-209
This is one of our favorite books, Christina! And, can you believe, I was just reading over that passage the other day? Holiness is definitely a yearly read, and these words are such an encouraging reminder to LOVE one another.
Blessings to you, dear sister!
Boy, that article really hits home. I try so hard to live without judgment and yesterday, in my tiny little church family, I saw the most disgusting smear of arrogance on one of the finer saints. I don’t know how my soul caught that, but it did. I know when I catch wind to those faults in others, I need to pray, not judge. However, maybe it’s just the mood I was in, because I don’t really like her right now…love her…but don’t like her.
This is one of my favorite books. Ryle is so balanced. Plus it’s always good to be reminded of this.