January's Quote to Ponder
"He that follows Jesus most fully will always follow Him most comfortably."
--J.C. Ryle, Holiness
Labels: monthly quotes
posted by Jason at 11:18 PM
1.01.2007
--J.C. Ryle, Holiness
About Me
- Name: Jason
the second of seven children; a mechanical engineering graduate from The University of Akron; a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church (after moving to Minnesota); previously a member of Covenant of Grace Church (back in Ohio); enjoy good books; most importantly, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Currently Reading
- Every Thought Captive
- by Richard L. Pratt, Jr
- Institutes of the Christian Religion
- By John Calvin
- Translated by Ford Lewis Battles
- Edited by John T. McNeill
- Knowing God
- by J.I. Packer
(Possible) Upcoming Reviews
- How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
- by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart
- A Praying Life
- by Paul Miller
Previous Posts
- 2006: The Year That Was
- December's Quote to Ponder
- Thought Collage
- To Whom Belong Wisdom and Might
- Thoughts of a Voter
- November's Quote to Ponder
- You Know You're Thinking Too Hard...
- Calling All Math Geeks
- The Habits of a Writer
- October's Quote to Ponder
2 Comments:
That's an interesting quote.
I think I both agree and disagree. Perhaps the statement needs more qualifiers, because on the one hand, the one who follows Christ most fully is definitely following comfortably in the sense that they are spiritually satisfied and assured of their salvation and confident in the source of their strength and joy. On the other hand, sometimes following Christ most fully looks like incredible sacrifice, which is not always "most comfortable." I think of those who follow Christ in countries where they are persecuted for believing... certainly they must have incredible faith and so find comfort in Christ, and yet they are not living comfortably!
Anyway, thanks for the comment, Jason. It was great to hear from you. I've been meaning to e-mail you for awhile to catch up. I'll try to do that soon!
1/20/2007 4:37 AM
Thanks for pointing that out, Brian. I probably should have provided more context; Ryle is talking about spiritual comfort here, not physical comfort. (He definitely makes it clear throughout the book that following Christ isn't going to be a cakewalk.)
Here are Ryle's preceding words: "A believer may as soon expect to feel the sun's rays upon a dark and cloudy day, as to feel strong consolation in Christ while he does not follow Him fully. When the disciples forsook the Lord and fled, they escaped danger, but they were miserable and sad. When, shortly after, they confessed Him boldly before men, they were cast into prison and beaten, but we are told, 'They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name' (Acts 5:41). Oh, for our own sakes, if there were no other reason, let us strive to be holy! He that follows Jesus most fully will always follow Him most comfortably."
Based on what you said, it sounds like what you agree with is what Ryle was actually saying. His words are worth pondering, but the context is important. In the future, I'll have to pick more self-containted quotes.
1/20/2007 12:16 PM
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