We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down if the religion we profess is not popular and few agree with us. We must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this passage: โThe gate is narrowโ. Repentance, and faith in Christ, and holiness of life, have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that we are reckoned singular, and peculiar, and bigoted, and narrow minded. This is the โnarrow wayโ. Surely it is better to enter into eternal life with a few, than to go to โdestructionโ with a great company
J. C. RyleDo nothing that you would not like God to see. Say nothing you would not like God to hear. Write nothing you would not like God to read. Go no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, "Show it to Me." Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, "What are you doing?
J. C. RylePeople may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a holy life.
J. C. RyleLet us seek friends that will stir up our prayers, our Bible reading, our use of time, and our salvation.
J. C. RyleA crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people.
J. C. RyleLet us serve Him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teachings as our Prophet. Let us work diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ, let us glory above all things in His cross.
J. C. Ryle