Monthly Archives: June 2015

Vital Union > Mere Formal Union

“Sanctification, then, is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian. . . . The union with Christ which produces no effect on heart and life is a mere formal union, which is worthless before God. The faith which has not a sanctifying influence on the character is no better than the faith of devils. It is a “dead faith, because it is alone.” It is not the gift of God. It is not the faith of God’s elect. In short, where there is no sanctification of life, there is no real faith in Christ” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 17).

Sanctification

“Sanctification is that inward spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in a man by the Holy Ghost, when He calls him to be a true believer. He not only washes him from his sins in His own blood, but He also separates him from his natural love of sin and the world, puts a new principle in his heart, and makes him practically godly in life. The instrument by which the Spirit effects this work is generally the Word of God, though He sometimes uses afflictions and providential visitations “with-out the Word.” (1 Peter 3:1) The subject of this work of Christ by His Spirit is called in Scripture a “sanctified” man.” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 17).

How Much Christ Has Done For Us

“Once taught to live the life of faith in Jesus, and abiding in Him, we shall bear more fruit, shall find ourselves more strong for duty, more patient in trial, more watchful over our poor weak hearts, and more like our Master in all our little daily ways. Just in proportion as we realize how much Christ has done for us, shall we labour to do much for Christ” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 14).