“All these ceremonial regulations, whether of food, of clothing, of agriculture, of sacrifices, were not ends in themselves, possessing intrinsic merit, but were vivid symbols of the fact that Israel was a holy nation, belonging to Jehovah, dedicated to holiness of life, to faith, and obedience, and called to exhibit the character of God here on earth” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, 17).

“How sad it was that the Jewish hierarchy, together with many of the people of Israel, looked upon their external separation from the Gentiles as ends in themselves and as guarantees of divine favor rather than as symbols of the spiritual relationship and condition which God requires of those who are His sons and daughters! (19)

“I want you to beware of presumption. Do not abuse God’s mercy and compassion. Do not continue in sin, I beseech you, and think you can repent, and believe, and be saved, just when you like, when you please, when you will, and when you choose. I would always set before you an open door. I would always say, “While there is life there is hope.” But if you would be wise, put nothing off that concerns your soul” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 187).

“Each mature Christian has, of course, the responsibility to ‘test all things.’ But Christian truth is a corporate possession. The church is the context within which we should expect to have wrong ideas gently corrected and right ones gently suggested, and where we in turn may contribute to the same activities. This will mean active membership in a local church and perhaps a variety of Christian groups; it should also involve careful listening to Christians of other backgrounds and periods of history” (N.T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon, vol. 12, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris,  43).

“This is the main doctrine to be gathered from the history of the penitent thief [see Luke 23:39-43]. It teaches us that which ought to be music in the ears of all who hear it — it teaches us that Jesus Christ is “mighty to save” (Isa. 63:1)” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 182).

“The central blessing of the Lord to the children of Israel was not a superior biological inheritance, nor a better national home, nor any material blessing at all; it was a unique knowledge of God Himself. This knowledge rested upon the self-disclosure of God to Israel. . . . All of Israel’s differences from her national neighbors were, therefore, the results of, or symbols of, her spiritual separation unto the Lord; the fact that Israel alone was God’s peculiar and special treasure, His covenant people” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, 7 & 9).

J.C. Ryle encourage Christians to look at the example of Moses; see Hebrews 11:24-26. “Such were the things that Moses refused–rank, pleasure, riches, all three at once” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 138).

Ryle asks, “Are you willing to give up anything which keeps you back from God?” (144)

“The Old Testament is entirely clear, therefore, that always and ever there has been but one way to become God’s child, to be acceptable to Him, and to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. That way is the way of faith and holiness” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, 6).

“Inconsistency of life is utterly destructive of peace of conscience. . . . I bless God that our salvation in no wise depends on our own works. By grace we are saved — not by works of righteousness — through faith – without the deeds of the law. But I never would have any believer for a moment forget that our SENSE of salvation depends much on the manner of our living. Inconsistency will dim our eyes, and bring clouds between us and the sun. The sun is the same behind the clouds, but you will not be able to see its brightness or enjoy its warmth, and your soul will be gloomy and cold. It is the path of the well doing that the day-spring of assurance will visit you, and shine down upon your heart” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 121-122).

“There is one more thing which is absolutely essential to growth in grace — and that is regular and habitual communion with the Lord Jesus” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 94).

“Scripture tells us that just before the exodus the children of Israel “sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage” [Ex. 2:23]. The Word of God represents the kindness of the Lord in taking Israel out of Egypt and establishing them as His covenant people in Canaan as a fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob [Ex. 6:4-8]. This statement is very significant, for it indicates the nature of the various covenants which God made with Noah, with Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob, with Moses, and with Christians through Christ; that is, there is a certain continuity from one covenant to the other” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, 5).