J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Posted on 03/04/2015 11:41:31 AM PST by RnMomof7
J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
We are told that John the Baptist came “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” The plain meaning of this expression is, that John preached the necessity of being baptized, in token of repentance, and that he told his hearers that except they repented of sin, their sins would not be forgiven.
We must carefully bear in mind that no repentance can make atonement for sin. The blood of Christ, and nothing else, can wash away sin from man’s soul. No quantity of repentance can ever justify us in the sight of God. “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings.” It is of the utmost importance to understand this clearly. The trouble that men bring upon their souls, by misunderstanding this subject, is more than can be expressed.
But while we say all this, we must carefully remember that without repentance no soul was ever yet saved. We must know our sins, mourn over them, forsake them, abhor them, or else we shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing meritorious in this. It forms no part whatever of the price of our redemption. Our salvation is all of grace, from first to last. But the great fact still remains, that saved souls are always penitent souls, and that saving faith in Christ, and true repentance toward God, are never found asunder. This is a mighty truth, and one that ought never to be forgotten.
Do we ourselves repent? This, after all, is the question which most nearly concerns us. Have we been convinced of sin by the Holy Spirit? Have we fled to Jesus for deliverance from the wrath to come? Do we know anything of a broken and contrite heart, and a thorough hatred of sin? Can we say, “I repent,” as well as “I believe?” If not, let us not delude our minds with the idea that our sins are yet forgiven. It is written, “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3.)
taken from: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Luke, Vol. 1.
Ping
No question that a change of mind (repentance) is necessary. I might differ slightly with Ryle insofar as Paul makes it clear to Timothy that even repentance is something granted by God (IITim 2:24 - 26). Monergism.
And, really...I mean really...what business does a believer have calling Luke “St. Luke”? I thought we biblicists left all that nonsense to the Romanists. There is not a single person in the Scripture named St. anything. Purely wrongheaded human construct.
No, its just John 3:16.God’s Clear Word written by the only eye witness to the life of Jesus.
Well, please re-read John 3:16 very slowly. It is not an offer, it is a statement of fact. Later in John, you will find that no one can come to Jesus unless He draws them personally.
I think my point was that you don't even have to add "Technically". Luke does not merit the title of "St." any more than any saint.
I tend to agree... but Ryle was a man of his time
The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. God draws us lovingly. He does not “drag us kicking and screaming”. Otherwise it would be coercion. God is not Allah. He is too dignified not to give his subjects a choice.
You sound like a good Arminian. But, the Reformed position is precisely what you dread...God did drag you kicking and screaming (just like Paul, on his way to kill folks like us) if you are among the elect. And, no, you did not have a choice (Rom. 9)... thankfully. And, you are correct...God is not Allah. But the kind of “fate” that they hold to with their pagan god, is not the same kind of divine determinism described everywhere in the Scriptures. If you want to know more, let us know.
The problem with the “God gets His way” theory is that God didn’t always get His way. It started with Adam and Eve.
Really? Adam and Eve did something God had no idea was going to happen? It was a “test” to see if they could stand up straight for 2 weeks then they would have been “confirmed”? Please...this is grade school theology.
The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world...think about it.
You have incoming...
***He does not “drag us kicking and screaming***
Read C.S. Lewis sometime.
“Adam and Eve did something God had no idea was going to happen? “
There is no evidence that He knew. As a matter of fact, He had to ask them. If He knew everything, why did He ask them “Who told you.....? Did you eat of the fruit....?”?
That is a courtroom tactic played out on Adam and Eve.
Jeremiah 23:24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.
Psalm 139:1-6 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ...
I have read a lot of C.S. Lewis. Which book are you suggesting?
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