There are few professing Christians, it may be feared, who strive to imitate Christ in the matter of private devotion. There is abundance of hearing, reading, talking, professing, visiting, contributing to the poor and teaching at schools. But is there, together with all this, a due proportion of private prayer? Are believing men and women sufficiently careful to be frequently alone with God?
J. C. RyleSuch true worship will stand the test of Christ's great principle, โBy their fruits you shall know themโ. It sanctifies the Christian's life, and makes them walk with God, lifting them above fear and love of the world. It enables a Christian to show God to other folks. Such worship comes from heaven, and has the mark of God upon it.
J. C. RyleWe must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
J. C. RyleTo be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope, and without heaven.
J. C. RyleThe cross is the foundation of the Bible: If you have not yet found out that Christ crucified is the foundation of the whole volume, you have hitherto read your Bible to very little profit. Your religion is a heaven without a sun, an arch without a keystone, a compass without a needle, a clock without a spring or weights, a lamp without oil. It will not comfort you; it will not deliver your soul from hell.
J. C. Ryle