"We have found the Christ"

[Ryle on John 1:35-42]
The first blow in that mighty work by which Peter was made a pillar of the Church, was struck by Andrew's words, "We have found the Christ." Well would it be for the Church of Christ, if all believers were more like Andrew! Well would it be for souls if all men and women who have been converted themselves, would speak to their friends and relatives on spiritual subjects, and tell them what they have found! How much good might be done! How many might be led to Jesus, who now live and die in unbelief! The work of testifying the Gospel of the grace of God ought not to be left to ministers alone. All who have received mercy ought to find a tongue, and declare what God has done for their souls...

Let us take heed that we are among those who really follow Christ and abide with Him. It is not enough to hear Him preached from the pulpit, and to read of Him as described in books. We must actually follow Him, pour our hearts before Him, and hold personal communion with Him. Then, and not till then, we shall feel constrained to speak of Him to others. The man who only knows Christ by the hearing of the ear, will never do much for the spread of Christ's cause in the earth.

Ryle, J. C. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1990. 70-71. Print.

Faith

Faith the grain of mustard seed develops into faith that moves the mountain;
faith the child increases into faith the giant.
May we know by experience how true this is.

 - Charles Haddon Spurgeon, from a sermon entitled "Faith And Its Attendant Privilege."

Let us learn to live the life of faith in Jesus more than we have up to this point.

Ever to be found by the fountain side—

ever to be eating Christ’s body by faith, and drinking Christ’s blood by faith—

ever to have before our minds Christ’s dying for our sins—

Christ’s rising again for our justification—

Christ interceding for us at God’s right hand—

Christ soon coming again to gather us to Himself— this is the mark which we should have continually before our eyes. 

We may fall short—but let us aim high. 

Let us walk in the full light of the Sun of righteousness, and then our graces will grow. 

Let us not be like trees on a cold north wall—weak, half-starved, and unfruitful. 

Let us rather strive to be like the sunflower—and follow the great Fountain of Light wherever He goes, and see Him with open face. Oh, for an eye more quick to discern His dealings! Oh, for an ear more ready to hear His voice!

- J.C. Ryle, Old Paths, “Forgiveness”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 209
 Ever Growing in Our Walk With Christ

Heart

The Things That Please God

God approves and honors heart-religion in the present life. He looks down from Heaven, and reads the hearts of all people. Wherever He sees . . . heart-repentance for sin, heart-faith in Christ, heart-holiness of life, heart-love to His Son, His law, His will, and His word . . . wherever God sees these things, He is well pleased.

 -J.C. Ryle, Tract: Formal Religion

Fear

Excerpt from "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan

Christian explained, "True or right fear can be known by three things. First, by what causes it: the right kind of fear is caused by saving conviction of sin. Secondly, a good fear drives the soul to quickly lay hold of Christ for salvation. And thirdly, this fear begins and sustains in the soul a great reverence for God,  His Word, and His ways. It keeps the soul tender, making it afraid to turn right or left from His Word and ways. It makes the soul sensitive to anything that might dishonor God, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak against God."