Questions to Consider
J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was an Anglican pastor who became the first Bishop of Liverpool. In 1878, he challenged his congregation with the following. While I have greatly condensed his words, I believe his challenge remains relevant today.
Ryle wrote, “We live in an age of particular spiritual danger. A painfully large proportion of all the congregations in the land consists of unconverted people. …Surely, in times like these there is a great need for self-examination. I think the shortest plan will be to suggest a list of subjects for self-inquiry. …I desire to speak to myself as well as to you. I approach you not as an enemy—but as a friend:
Do we ever think about our souls at all? Thousands, I fear, cannot answer that question satisfactorily. They never give religion any place in their thoughts. Death, judgment, eternity, heaven and hell—are never calmly considered. They live as if they were never going die, rise again, stand at the bar of God, or receive an eternal sentence. Look at the class I have been describing, and then look at your own soul
Do we ever do anything about our souls? There are multitudes who think occasionally about religion—but unhappily never get beyond thinking. There is no actual separation from the service of the world and sin—no taking up the cross and following Christ.
Are we trying to satisfy our consciences with mere “formal” religion? There are myriads who, like the Pharisees of old, make much ado about the outward part of Christianity, while the inward and spiritual part is totally neglected. There is no heart in their religion. This formal religion does them no good. They are not satisfied. Remember our Savior’s words about the formalists of His day: “These people draw near with their mouth…but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship” (Matthew 15:8-9).
Have we received forgiveness of sins? Forgiveness is a thing which each individual must receive for himself by his own personal faith, lay hold of by faith, appropriate by faith, and make his own by faith; or else, as far as he is concerned, Christ will have died in vain.
Do we know anything by experience of conversion to God? Without conversion there is no salvation. We all need a complete change which is the special office of the Holy Spirit to give to us. Call it what you please—new birth, regeneration, renewal, new creation, quickening, repentance—the thing must be had if we are to be saved. And if we have the thing it will be seen in 1) a sense of sin and deep hatred for it; 2) faith in Christ and love for him; 3) delight in holiness; 4) love for God’s people; 5) distaste for the things of the world.
Do we know anything of practical Christian holiness? Holiness is not absolute perfection and freedom from all faults. Yet as weak and imperfect as the holiness of the best saints may be, it is a real thing, and has a character about it as unmistakable as salt and light.
Do we know anything of enjoying the means of grace? When I speak of the means of grace I have in mind’s eye five principle things: 1) reading the Bible; 2) private prayer; 3) public worship; 4) the Lord’s Supper; 5) the rest of the Lord’s day.
Do we ever try to do any good in the world? A Christian who was content to go to Heaven himself and cared not what became of others would have been regarded as a kind of monster in primitive times, who did not have the Spirit of Christ. There is a generation of professing Christians now-a-days, who seem to know nothing of caring for their neighbors. Whether others are happy or miserable, well or ill, traveling towards heaven or hell—these appear to be questions about which they are indifferent. Can this be right?
Do we know anything of living the life of habitual communion with Christ? Many are content with a little faith, a little hope, a little peace, a little measure of holiness. Communion with Christ is the privilege of those who are continually striving to grow in grace, faith, knowledge, and conformity to the mind of Christ in all things.
Do we know anything of being ready for Christ’s second coming? Are we living as if we long to see Him again, and love His appearing? The vast majority of Christians seem like the men in the time of Noah and Lot, who were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, planting and building, up to the very day when the fire and flood came. “Take heed lest at any time your heart be overcharged with the cares of this life, and that day comes on you unawares” (Luke 21:34).
I find Ryle’s questions helpful when considering my own walk with Christ. I hope you will too.