Souls At a Deadlock
There are many people...
- about whom the Bible shows me
- I ought to stand in doubt.
- Reader, are you one of these?
There are many whom I must call almost Christians...
- They have many things about them which are right, and good,
- and praiseworthy in the sight of God.
- They are regular and moral in their lives.
- They are free from glaring outward sins.
- They keep up many decent and proper habits.
They are usually diligent...
- in their attendance on means of grace.
- They are not offended at the truth as it is in Jesus, however plainly it may be spoken.
- They have no objection to religious company, religious books, and religious talk.
- They agree to all you say when you speak to them about their soul.
- And all this is well.
But still there is no movement in the hearts of these people...
- that even a microscope can detect.
- They are like those who stand still.
- Weeks after weeks, years after years roll over their heads, and they are just where they were.
There is no going forward in their Christianity.
- There is no life, and heat, and reality in it.
- Their souls seem to be at a dead lock.
- And all this is sadly wrong.
Never rest till you have found...
- whether you have grace in your heart or not.
- Wishes and desires, and good feelings, and convictions,
- are all excellent things in their way,
- but they alone will never save you.
- but I like better to see ripe fruit.
- The way-side hearers in the parable listened...
- but the word took no root in them;—they were not saved.
- The stony ground hearers listened with joy...
- but the word had no depth in them;—they were not saved.
- The thorny ground hearers brought forth something like fruit...
- but the word was choked by the world;—they were not saved.
Take care what you are doing.
- If you will not stir up yourself to go forward,
- how should I feel anything but doubt about your soul.
Adapted Excerpt From
Startling Questions
J. C. Ryle
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