Will I Strive to Enter In Right Now?

The secrets of my heart. 

Is there some pet sin, 

• which I am holding fast, and will not give up? 
• This is a disease which checks the growth of many a professing Christian.

Am  I being kept back by the fear of man... 

• afraid of the blame or laughter of my fellow creatures?
• This is an iron chain that fetters many a soul. 

Am I careless about private prayer and communion with God?

• This is one reason why multitudes are weak and sickly in spirit. 

But whatever my reason be, 

• I have been warned to take care what I am doing. 
• My state is neither satisfactory nor safe. 

Like the Gibeonites, if I be found in the train of Israel, 

• like them I will have no title to Israel’s portion, 
• Israel’s consolations, and Israel’s rewards. 
• Oh! awake to a sense of danger! Strive to enter in.

Excerpt From

Startling Questions

J. C. Ryle