Why He came!

[McWilliams]

The fruits and effects He produces

(J. C. Ryle, "The Holy Spirit")

"When He comes, He will convict the world about
sin, righteousness, and judgment." (John 16:8)

Where the Holy Spirit is, there will always be deep
conviction of sin--and true repentance for it. It is
His special office to convince of sin.

He shows the exceeding holiness of God.

He teaches the exceeding corruption and
infirmity of our nature.

He strips us of our blind self-righteousness.

He opens our eyes to our awful guilt, folly and danger.

He fills the heart with sorrow, contrition, and abhorrence
for sin--as the abominable thing which God hates.

He who knows nothing of all this, and saunters
carelessly through life, thoughtless about sin, and
indifferent and unconcerned about his soul, is a
dead man before God! He has not the Holy Spirit.



The presence of the Holy Spirit in a man's heart can
only be known by the fruits and effects He produces.
Mysterious and invisible to mortal eye as His operations
are, they always lead to certain visible and tangible results.

Just as you know there is life in a tree by its sap, buds,
leaves and fruits--just so you may know the Spirit to be
in a man's heart by the influence He exercises over his
thoughts, affections, opinions, habits, and life. I lay this
down broadly and unhesitatingly. I see it clearly marked
out in our Lord Jesus Christ's words, "Every tree is known
by his own fruit." (Luke 6:44)




We have just published Ryle's outstanding article:
"The Holy Spirit"

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. Ps25:14
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. Ps 17:15

Opinions abound as to why He came, who He really was, what was His whole purpose!

Who do you say that I am? Mt 16:15,16

 

[tryme]

Just as you know there is life in a tree by its sap, buds,
leaves and fruits--just so you may know the Spirit to be
in a man's heart by the influence He exercises over his
thoughts, affections, opinions, habits, and life. I lay this
down broadly and unhesitatingly. I see it clearly marked
out in our Lord Jesus Christ's words, "Every tree is known
by his own fruit." (Luke 6:44)

I highlighted what stood out for me.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[McWilliams]

I highlighted what stood out for me.

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, that really tells the tale doesnt it?

J.C. Ryle was such a great writer! The first book I read of his was Warnings to the Churches. It was just so good, true to today! Even the picture on the front cover showed a church, now a hotel! Signs of the times! Ryle believed 'The church's doctrine and practice are in constant danger of being corrupted from their original divinely-given character.'
Then when I read 'Holiness' I was so challenged by his florid, wonderful, analagous writing, such as: To tell a believer, who is quickened and alive to God, to grow is only summoning him to a plain scriptural duty. He has a new principle within him, and it is a solemn duty not to quench it. Neglect of growth robs him of privileges, grieves the Spirit, and makes the chariot wheels of his soul move heavily. Whose fault is it if a believer does not grow in grace? The fault cannot be laid on God. He delights "to give more grace". The fault, no doubt is our own.
(p.105)

Other books of his that are great also are, Old Paths, Practical Religion, Knots Untied, but I especially liked those mentioned above.