J.C. Ryle on Affliction

“True Christians must not expect everything to be smooth on their journey to heaven…[God] has never promised that we shall have no affliction. He loves us too well to promise us that. By affliction he teaches many precious lessons which without it we should never learn. By affliction he shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world and makes us long for heaven. In the resurrection morn we shall thank God for every storm.”

“God's love is the fountainhead of the gospel. God's Son did not come into the world to persuade the Father to love or to win His love for us; He came as the gift of the Father's love to us.”

— Ian Hamilton; Ephesians

“It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“‘That they may be seen of men;’ that they may be set upon a theatre for others to admire and canonize them. The oil of vainglory feeds their lamp. How many by the wind of popular breath have been blown to hell! Whom the devil cannot destroy by intemperance, he does by vainglory.”

— Thomas Watson

“When we are out of the way of our duty we are in the way of temptation…Idleness gives great advantage to the tempter. Standing waters gather filth.”

— Matthew Henry; Commentary on 2 Samuel 11

“The door of hope that the gospel reveals to sinners is very wide open. Let us leave it as open as we find it. We should never be afraid to maintain that Christ is able to save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25), and that the vilest of sinners may be forgiven freely if they will only come to him. We should offer the gospel boldly to the worst and the wickedest (Isa. 1:18).”

— J.C. Ryle

Happy Reformation Day 🔨

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Defend ⚔️ Strengthen ⛰️ Build 🛠️