“One thing essential to growth in grace is diligence in the use of private means of grace. . . . private prayer, private reading of the Scriptures, and private meditation and self-examination. . . . Another thing which is essential to growth in grace is carefulness in the use of public means of grace. . . . the ordinances of regular Sunday worship, the uniting with God’s people in common prayer and praise, the preaching of the Word, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 92).
Major Thesis
“Since this book deals not only with the Scriptural principles, but also with their application to current ethical problems, there may be some who disagree with the author. . . . But let any minor disagreement be seen in the light of the major thesis — that the faith of a Christian must express itself in a life that is different because it is ordered according to the Word of God” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, xiv).
Gotta Fight, Fight, Fight
“The principle fight of the Christian is with the world, the flesh, and the devil” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 53).
Holy?
“I do not ask whether you attend your church regularly — whether you have been baptized, and received the Lord’s Supper — whether you have the name of Christian — I ask something more than all this: Are you holy, or are you not?” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 45).
To Say and To Do
“This book meets a great need in Christendom at large. In a day when Christian faith is thought of pretty much in terms of verbal commitments and generalities, it calls Christian professors to a walk that fits our creeds. To be a Christian is not only to say, but to do” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, xiii).
Breaks the Power of Sin
“Jesus is a complete Saviour. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer’s sin, He does more — He breaks its power. (1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 12:10)” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 41).
Nonconformity
“Being nonconformed to the world is not a matter of rejecting science and inventions, nor is it the maintenance of a cultural status quo, nor is it difference for its own sake. One cannot be nonconformed to the world by adopting a few symbols of nonconformity while remaining carnal and unspiritual in heart. Nonconformity to the world is the natural outcome of having been born again and of being alert to the spiritual issues which confront Christian living in a given culture” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, ix).
Close to God
“If there is any point on which God’s holiest saints agree it is this: that they see more, and know more, and feel more, and do more, and repent more, and believe more, as they get on in spiritual life, and in proportion to the closeness of their walk with God” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 20).
Evidence
“The Spirit never lies dormant and idle within the soul: He always makes His presence known by the fruit He causes to be borne in heart, character, and life” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 18).
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).