I especially appreciate how Ryle, all through this book, sets the bar of holiness high, according to what he knows of it from the Bible. But at the same time he recognizes and encourages the reader when he thinks the reader may be discouraged by failures and sin. He says, “A deep sense of that struggle [between the flesh and the spirit], and a vast amount of mental discomfort from it, are no proof that a man is not sanctified. Nay, rather, I believe, they are healthy symptoms of our condition and prove that we are not dead, but alive.” That is a pastor’s heart!

On another note, I’d be curious if anybody else thinks that Ryle, on occasion, detracts from the doctrine of the glorification of the saints at their death and final resurrection. I know some folks reading passages like Tim quotes above may begin to think, “If I don’t become holy enough on earth then I will be unhappy in heaven.” Certainly every believer will be “made perfect in the full enjoyment of God” in heaven. How do you think this should be squared with what Ryle says about sanctification?

Astounding chapter. I would read a portion, and then take a minute to ponder. I was filled with joy. I was convicted, and hopefully, I will be one of the Lord’s servants who lives in accordance of this incredible teaching on sanctification. Amen.

This afternoon, as a result of the thinking about the ideas in the chapter, I was reminded of a song and a book that illustrate a couple of Ryle’s points.

Growing up, we often sang “Away in a Manger” at Christmas. I have seen two versions of the final line:

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

and

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

I remember a question over what words to sing when we had a copy with the second version. Both are good sentiments (although “little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes” does not do justice to the two natures of Jesus by downplaying His humanity), but in the context that this discussion took place, there seemed to be a repulsive reaction against the idea that we would have to somehow be made fit for heaven. After all, we were “saved,” right, brother? But I think Ryle is right. And I think “fit us for heaven” is quite fitting. We are not ready yet, and although justification is our title, as Ryle observes, we need to be prepared for what heaven will be like. As we become more like Christ, we are made more fit for heaven, and this is not a meritorious work!

I also thought of C. S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce. It has been some time since I read it, but as I recall, it is a fictional story about folks from hell taking a bus trip to heaven. They find heaven inhospitable and undesirable. The grass hurts their feet. They do not enjoy their time there at all. If we are not holy, we will have no delight in heaven. Indeed, if we are not holy, we can have no delight in heaven now. If our only concept is a life free from pain and reunited with loved ones, perhaps everyone could go for that. But a life free to worship God totally and forget ourselves? A life where we want to know God more intimately and be like Christ? A life where our pet sins are nowhere to be found? Only a regenerated, justified, sanctified child of God will want this.

Below are a few thoughts from my blog entry (click here to view complete entry):

It is obvious that Ryle does not think sanctification is an option for believers. He does not believe a person could be a true believer without being a true disciple of Jesus. He obviously would not say that one could receive Christ as Savior but not as Lord! Although we are justified by faith alone, Christ will be looking for evidence in our lives that we are His on the day of judgment.

However, Ryle does take a view that is balanced in that it recognizes the reality of degrees of growth in holiness. Although the Christian’s life should evidence an upward and forward trajectory, there are times we are less holy and times that we are more holy. The sanctified life is still a struggle. If there is not a struggle, something is wrong! Spiritual conflict does not disprove a believer’s sanctification.

Ryle is right to emphasize the “diligent use of scriptural means” for sanctification. “Bible-reading, private prayer, regular attendance on public worship, regular hearing of God’s Word, and regular reception of the Lord’s Supper” must not be neglected by the growing Christian. It is no wonder that so many make so little progress in godliness when these means are neglected.

One of Ryle’s warnings that particularly struck me was that true sanctification “does not consist in talk about religion.” He speaks of an “unholy familiarity” with Christian truth that lends itself to people talking “so fluently about its doctrines that you might think them true Christians.” This is reminiscent of the character Talkative in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. He could talk the talk, but would not walk the walk. I think of what Don Whitney said in the Biblical Spirituality class I took: “We are often educated beyond our obedience.” Our thirst for knowledge should not surprise our hunger for holiness!

Holiness grows in the soil of difficulty. Christ prayed for His followers, not that God would “take them out of the world, but that [He should] keep them from the evil” (John 17:15). Ryle said, “True holiness does not make a Christian evade difficulties, but face and overcome them.”

Ryle labors to show us that sanctification is shown, not in the temporary, but the habitual, steady patterns of life. Talk is not enough. Feelings are not enough. Bright, occasional bursts of obedience will not suffice. A day-by-day, constant walk with the Savior is what we are called to. The mundane, routine, cultivation of regular habits is a major part of holiness. This encompasses active obedience to God and how we react to providence and the treatment of others. Sanctification reveals itself in our love to others, self-denial, and “submission to the will of God” and “longsuffering, gentleness, and meekness” (from the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23). Note a couple of Ryle’s warnings:

The selfish Christian professor, who wraps himself up in his own conceit of superior knowledge, and seems to care nothing whether others sink or swim, go to heaven or hell, so long as he walks to church or chapel in his Sunday best, and is called a “sound member” - such a man knows nothing of sanctification.

People who are habitually giving way to peevish and cross tempers in daily life, and are constantly sharp with their tongues, and disagreeable to all around them - spiteful people, vindictive people, revengeful people, malicious people - of whom, alas, the world is only too full! - all such know little, as they should know, about sanctification.

Ryle is helpful in his comparison and contrast of justification and sanctification. He is clear that they come as a package, but that they are two different things. We are justified through faith alone by the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. This justification is complete and is apart from our works. But sanctification is a righteousness worked in us by God’s Spirit, a continual progress, and one that requires active work on our behalf. These distinctions are relevant for considering controversies such as the Lordship debate (in which one side tends to separate the two unnecessarily, making sanctification and option) and the New Perspective on Paul (which seems to confuse the two).

In my look at the introduction, I questioned whether Ryle would find John Piper’s “Christian Hedonism” a helpful term. I think he would not be impressed with it. But the truth Piper is endeavoring to convey, that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” (gleaned from the Bible and the theology of Jonathan Edwards), sounds like the same thing Ryle tries to convey when he writes, “Let us feel convinced, whatever others may say, that holiness is happiness, and that the man who gets through life most comfortably [not in the sense of external conveniences, but in the sense of being encouraged and content] is the sanctified man.”

Ryle does not pretend to have exhausted this topic, but refers us to John Owen’s work on “The Holy Spirit” for further study. However, this chapter is a helpful look at sanctification and gives us much to consider, much to repent of, much to praise God for, much to pray for in our own lives and in those of others, and much to obey.

I do not believe Ryle meant to set a standard as to how every believer should measure up (what if i am not holy enough). Lynda Randal sings a song “When I die and go to heaven, I want to live like there will be no big change”. I believe it is intent or say heart issue that is the true way to gauge our sanctification. For where our heart is our actions will follow. Yes, not perfectly, I can attest to that sad to say. I was encouraged by this thought in the chapter, goes someting like this, the more we are heading towards our sanctification, the more we will feel the weight of our justification. Conformation of growing in sanctification for many of us. I am very much enjoying this book. It is good to read and share in a community of believers.

what does it mean when more of the chapter is highlighted or underlined than not?

I agree with previous post-ers that this was an amazing chapter. Already into the next chapter I began to realize that the coming chapter is what is needed also to recognize the content in this chapter.

also the point on heaven and being prepared now for it through sanctification is one to be really considered and pondered upon.

when the bishop wrote on we must take to account Paul’s writings and consider his admonishments to the church one to be considered…it reminded me of conversations i have had with folks who either take the “Red Letter” more seriously because they believe that they are more important in Scripture than the blackened letter. i had a conversation with a man just yesterday who talked about his dislike of a particular Bible because it did not offer Jesus’ Word’s in RED and thought that the publisher should have done that. because of his age, being twice mine + 10ish years (70ish), i was not to discourage that thought, but neither encourage it. my question to one my age would be, is not the Bible God’s Word and God-breathed? is it not inerrant, infallible, and the inspired Word of God? Should it not all be in RED then. if we begin to take God’s Word by just those words which only Jesus actually spoke, what would we miss out on?

thank you Mr. Challies for your continued minsitry.

also like to thank PW and SV for their accountability during this reading session.

Columbia, South Carolina

The part of the chapter that gave me the most “food for thought” was the discussion on passive vs. active graces of sanctification. The passive graces are harder to attain but have the greatest influence on the world for Christ. This is an area I fall short. There is no pretending. I am thankful for the conviction.

I, too, agree that it was a fantastic chapter. The part of the chapter that was especially encouraging to me is point #9 under the nature of sanctification - how a Christian will have conflict within. While reading, I could sense a sort of discouragement about my own sanctification and my “progress” as it were. But as fallen humans, we will never be perfect until we are in glory. The war with sin is a daily struggle, and discouragement often overshadows our desire for holiness. Satan so easily turns sin into a discouragement with me. As I discussed this with a friend, we discussed the longing so often found in the Scripture for Christ and for holiness (i.e. Psalms) can be a form of worship. May my prayer be that I will turn my discouragement with sin into worshipful longing for the day when I stand before the Lord fully sanctified and glorified.