"I solemnly warn you!
(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)
Some professors are always trying to keep in with the world. They are ingenious in discovering reasons for not separating decidedly, and in framing plausible excuses for attending questionable amusements, and keeping up questionable friendships.
One day you are told of their attending a Bible class; the next day perhaps you hear of their going to a ball!
One day they fast, or go to the Lord's table and receive the sacrament; another day they go to the racecourse in the morning, and the opera at night!
One day they are almost in hysterics under the sermon of some sensational preacher; another day they are weeping over some novel!
But . . .
to walk closely with God;
to be really spiritually-minded;
to behave like strangers and pilgrims;
to be distinct from the world in use of time, in life-style, in amusements, in dress;
to bear a faithful witness for Christ in all places;
to leave a fragrance of our Master in every society;
to be prayerful, humble, unselfish, good-tempered, quiet, contented, charitable, patient;
to be jealously afraid of all manner of sin;
to be tremblingly alive to our danger from the world
--these, these are rare things! They are not common among those who are called Christians; and, worst of all, the absence of them is not felt and bewailed as it should be!
I beseech you not to be content with a small measure of grace--not to be satisfied with being a little better than the world!
I solemnly warn you not to attempt doing what never can be done: to serve Christ--and yet keep in with the world. I call upon you and beseech you . . .
to be a whole-hearted Christian,
to follow after eminent holiness,
to aim at a high degree of sanctification,
to live a consecrated life, and
to present your body a "living sacrifice" unto God!"
This strikes a cord with me. Our culture is watering down the church and the Christians in it. So many are content to just meander through this life and do good to others as they have opportunity, but where are the Christians that SEEK out oppertunites and SEEK out a radical life to serve God? We are so concerned with what the culture says. Our culture says "you deserve rest." and "Be sure to make some time for yourself." I disagree!! Do all things to the glory of God means ALL THINGS. If it most glorifies God for you to rest so that you can better serve tomorrow, then rest. But if you are resting because you "deserve it" then it is not to the glory of God and thus sin!!
As far as what we deserve... Hell. But what are we given? For the one who sees his sin and repents: Grace and forgiveness through the payment of our sin by Jesus Christ. For the one who thinks he deserves rest: eternal punishment, because after all, that is what we all deserve.
