Finding Grace in My Heart Right Now

Never to rest... 

• till I have found whether I have grace in my heart or not. 

Wishes and desires, and good feelings, and convictions, are all excellent things in their way, 

• but they alone will never save me. 

I like to see buds and blossoms on a tree, 

• 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. 

Do I tremble at the word?“

• So also did Felix, but he was not saved. 

Do I like to hear good sermons and many things which are right? 

• So also did Herod, but he was not saved. 

Do I wish to die the death of the righteous? 

• So did Balaam, but he was not saved. 

Have I knowledge? 

• So had Judas Iscariot, but he was not saved. 

And shall I be saved as I am? 

• I must doubt it. Remember Lot’s wife.

Adapted Excerpt From

Startling Questions

J. C. Ryle