How Long Will I Remain an "Almost" Christian?

 

I ought to stand in doubt.

Am I what some would call an "almost Christian"? 

• I may have many things about me which are right, and good, and praiseworthy in the sight of God. 
• I may be regular and moral in my life. 
• I may be free from glaring outward sins. 
• I may keep up many decent and proper habits. 

I may be usually diligent in my attendance on means of grace. 

• I may appear to love the preaching of the Gospel. 
• I may not be offended at the truth as it is in Jesus, 
• however plainly it may be spoken. 
• I may have no objection to Christian company, Christian books, and Christian talk.
• I may agree to all that others say when they speak to me about my soul. 
• And all this is well.

But still is there no movement in my heart that even a microscope can detect?

• Am I like those who stand still?
• Weeks after weeks, years after years roll over my head, 
• and am I just where I was? 
• I may sit under pulpits. 
• I may approve of sermons. 
• And yet, am I nothing the better apparently for all I receive?

There may always be the same regularity about me,—

• the same constant attendance on means of grace,—
• the same wishing and hoping,—
• the same way of talking about faith; 
• but is there nothing more?

Is there no going forward in my Christianity? 

• Is there no life, and heat, and reality in it? 
• Does my soul seem to be at a dead lock? 
• All this is sadly wrong.

Am I one of these people? 

• There are thousands of them in this day,—
• thousands in our churches, and thousands in our chapels. 

I have to urge myself to give an honest answer to the question: 

• Is this the state of my soul in the sight of God? 
• If it is, I can only say my condition is most unsatisfactory. 

As the apostle said to the Galatians, so I need to say to myself, 

• “I stand in doubt of you.”

Adapted Excerpt From

Startling Questions

J. C. Ryle