Showing results by author "J. C. Ryle" in All Categories

How much religion among many members of churches consists of nothing but church rituals! They belong to their church. They are baptized, married, buried in at the church, and preached to on Sundays by her ministers, but the great doctrines of truth have no place in their hearts and only a little influence on their lives. Is the religion of these people real Christianity? No, it is Churchianity – and nothing more!

"Thoughts for Young Men," by J. C. Ryle, is a short yet passionate appeal that, a hundred years after it was written, remains relevant for today. Replete with warnings, exhortations, and instruction about this life's many trials, temptations, and common pitfalls, Ryle's classic is biblical, practical, timeless, and wise.

Old Paths is a collection of 19 of J. C. Ryle's most effective tracts on the leading truths of Christianity, which are, as he says, "necessary to salvation." In including in such a series Inspiration, Election, and Perseverance, he allows that good Christians have disagreed and will still disagree about them, but he inserts them nevertheless on account of the immense importance of the first and the extraordinary neglect into which the last two have fallen. Ryle's racy style, plainspokenness, and good taste are sure to secure your affection and hold your attention.

Striving for holiness should be a goal for all followers of Christ, yet it is often viewed as too overwhelming of an undertaking or as simply not as important as the more immediate demands of daily life.

"True Christianity is a fight," wrote J. C. Ryle in 1877. He argued that from the day of their conversion until the day they die, Christians are called to be soldiers for Christ in a war for their holiness. This inspiring call to action written more than 100 years ago continues to be a source of great encouragement and inspiration for believers today.

J.C. Ryle was well known for his warm, plain-spoken candor, the kind which appeals to all souls regardless of rank or title, and this short book is no different. Bold, encouraging, and affectionate, "A Call to Prayer" is just as the title says—an earnest invitation for all children of God to come before Him in prayer. Read it, be edified, and have hope: you have access to the Maker of heaven and earth who can do all things.

Solomon says that the glory of young men is their strength (Prov. 20:29). Young men have so much to give the church, but sadly the modern church has taught them nothing about how to exercise their strength in a godly way. This book by 19th-century pastor J.C. Ryle is short, but gives young men what they need: straight talk about being a Christian man. Ryle does not mince words when describing the temptations to pride, lust, laziness, and more. This classic is a powerful reminder from a wise man about how to be strong in the Lord and to give no opportunity to the devil.

This is a primer on raising children and the duties all Christian parents have toward those whom God has entrusted to them.

Using his own understanding and study of Scripture, J.C. Ryle consolidates, organizes, and explains this learned wisdom in The Duties of Parents. Broken up into 17 principles, perfect for devotional use, this resource provides advice, guidance, instruction, reminders, and tools for parents who desire to raise children who not only know God but who can also develop their own relationship with Him and live according to His Word. Preparing a Biblical foundation is the desire of all God-fearing parents, and Ryle’s words and Biblical insights help inspire and encourage this exact path.

He that wishes to attain right views about Christian holiness must begin by examining the vast and solemn subject of sin. The plain truth is that a right knowledge of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity.

Reader, What do you think of these words? They are short words, and soon spoken; but they contain great things. These three words are the essence and substance of Christianity. If your heart can really go along with them, it is well with your soul: if not, you may be sure you have yet much to learn. Let me try to set before you in what sense “Christ is all;” and let me ask you, as you read, to judge yourself honestly, that you may not make shipwreck in the judgment of the last day.

It has been a long time since there have been as many ideas and events in our world causing fear and anxiety as there are today. But one thing, in any event, is clear, and that is the duty of Christians to search more diligently than ever the prophetic Scriptures. Let us compare prophecies fulfilled with prophecies unfulfilled and attempt to make the one illustrate the other. Let us strive, above all, to obtain clear views of the things we should be expecting, both in the church and the world, before the end comes and time will be no more.

John Charles Ryle (1816-1900) was the first bishop of Liverpool and a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. His writings on the Gospels are considered by many to be the best practical, devotional and Christ-centered commentaries ever written! He said, 'I am one of those old-fashioned ministers who believe the whole Bible, and everything it contains!'

THE question before your eyes deserves a thousand thoughts. It should ring in the ears of English-men and Scotchmen like the voice of a trumpet. You live in a land which is the very cradle of free-dom. But are you yourself free? The question is one which demands special atten¬tion at this present time. The minds of many are wholly absorbed in politics. Parliamentary Reform is the one idea which fills their thoughts. To have a vote for Parliament is the grand aim and ambition of myriads. Yet there is a freedom within the reach of all, which few I am afraid ever think of; a free¬dom ...

“Flee from idolatry.”—1 COR. x. 14. THE text which heads this page may seem at first sight to be hardly needed in England. In an age of education and intelligence like this, we might almost fancy it is waste of time to tell an Eng-lishman to “flee from idolatry.” I am bold to say that this is a great mistake. I believe that we have come to a time when the sub-ject of idolatry demands a thorough and searching investigation. I believe that idolatry is near us, and about us, and in the midst of us, to a very fearful extent. The Second Command¬ment, in one word, is in peril. “The ...

BELOVED FRIENDS AND BRETHREN, I cannot reach your hearts, I know well. It is not in me,—it needs the finger of God. But I can set before you my earnest wishes for every class among you, and I will do it, the Lord being my helper. Bear with me if I say things that sound sharp and hard. Set it down to my anxiety for your salvation;—I mean it all for your good. I write none other things but what I have gathered from the Bible, and as such I commend them to your consciences. Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things. I grant you may be quick and clever about the...

A friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Tell me not of money. Affection is better than gold. Sympathy is better than lands. He is the poor man who has no friends. Have you a friend? This world is full of sorrow, because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a dis¬appointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and dou-bles our joys. Have you a friend? A real friend is scarce and rare. There are many who will eat, and drink, and laugh with us, in the sunshine of prosperity. There are few who will stand by us ...

Written truly for everyone, Rich and Poor, speaks to the temptations and benefits of both those who have everything and those who struggle to have anything. Neither the wealthy nor the impoverished are loved less by God or placed on this Earth by accident. Stressing the importance of putting hope and trust in God over becoming engrossed in one’s circumstances, Ryle goes over the potential dangers of either situation. Striving to gain more wealth, becoming prideful, entitled, or jealous can tempt anyone and can ultimately lead to losing sight of God’s aim for his children’s lives.

A widely known preacher in both England and America in the mid-eighteenth century, George Whitefield’s influence has since been buried by those influential men in his time who found his teachings too emotional and experiential. J. C. Ryle seeks to undo that injustice in this work. Laying out in simple and factual ways Whitefield’s life, beliefs, works, and sermons, Ryle encourages a further study of this great Christian man. This biography not only serves to present Whitefield in a more fair light, but also encourages reflection on one’s own Christian walk.

Are you indeed alive unto God? Can you say with truth, “I was dead and am alive again; I was blind, but now I see”? Then accept this word of exhortation and lean your heart toward wisdom.