What should we do with this teaching on sanctification? How does it matter for the average Christian? Ryle’s thoughts:
- For one thing, let us awake to a sense of the perilous state of many professing Christians.
- For another thing, let us make sure work of our own condition, and never rest till we feel and know that we are “sanctified” ourselves.
- For another thing, if we would be sanctified, our course is clear and plain—we must begin with Christ.
- For another thing, if we would grow in holiness and become more sanctified, we must continually go on as we began, and be ever making fresh applications to Christ.
- For another thing, let us not expect too much from our own hearts here below.
- Finally, let us never be ashamed of making much of sanctification, and contending for a high standard of holiness. (pg. 39-40)
Personally, I think all six of these points need more emphasis today, even the ones that seem contradictory like 2 and 5. We need more passion for holiness, more effort toward holiness, and more of a realization that the growth is slow, spotty, and at times downright disappointing. But in Christ, we can grow into the person he has already reckoned us to be.
