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).
“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).
“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).
“The principle fight of the Christian is with the world, the flesh, and the devil” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 53).
“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).
“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).