Book review: Holiness.

J. C. Ryle, in this most important work called Holiness, sets out a number of lectures informing the reader (or listener, if you are on line: sermon audio) about this most wonderful and equally important subject. Now why do I speak on this subject again?   you may recall that I put out a book review on this subject a some months ago which spoke of the book 'devoted to God' by Sinclair Ferguson which was the same subject; well, I feel this is is a subject that is seriously lacking in much of today's church and that can be seen in how it is often referred too as that doctrine which suggests that one must be perfect in this life. When it says no such thing. So, therefore, it is a great truth which needs much coverage on it.

Now in the picture to the left; what we see are two books-- they are not two different books but two version of the same work. The one on the right is the original, if you will (or one of the many reprints), of the original. And the one on the left is an up to date reworking. What is the difference?  Simply this: the original had twenty papers on this all important subject and the reworking has 10 of the original. But whether one reads the original or the reworked (abridged); you are getting something of a treasure which will help us with our growth in Christ as it was intended to do. 

The question that must be asked is this: why did J.C. Ryle feel the need for such a work of depth to be released? the answer is stated in various ways through out the body of this work; but to put it in a straight forth manner we quote the introduction:  "concerning the present position of the whole subject of holiness among English Christians, the older I grow the more I am convinced that there is a most painfully low standard of living among many in the land who claim to be Christians..." (pg. iii) That was His conviction when he wrote this work in 1879; and it is sad to say, it is very much the same even today in much of the church. Liberalism and other new ideas that crept in and broken the bounds of truth for many professing and confessing churches.  It is with much sadness that I see many in the church today have never known the gospel of grace due to be taught a false and damning set of idea which are passed off as being gospel. 

If you have time to read any book i recommend this book because there is something to be taken from this: sanctification is both a transformational work; and a sacrificial work. It both God work in you; and it is our work as a result:  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."  (Phil. 2:12-13)