Holiness: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 [Annotated, Updated]

by J.C. Ryle

Lastly, let me turn to all believers who read these pages and speak to them a few words of brotherly counsel. The main thing that I urge upon you is this: if you do not have an assured hope of your own acceptance in Christ, resolve this day to seek it. Labor for it. Strive after it. Pray for it. Give the Lord no rest until you know whom you have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). I really think that the small amount of assurance today among those who are considered to be God’s children is a shame and a reproach. “It is a thing to be greatly regretted,” says Robert Trail, “that many Christians have lived twenty or forty years since Christ called them by His grace, yet doubting in their life.” Let us call to mind the earnest desire expressed, that every one of the Hebrews should seek after full assurance; and let us endeavor, by God’s blessing, to roll this reproach away (Hebrews 6:11). Believing reader, do you really mean to say that you have no desire to exchange hope for confidence, trust for persuasion, and uncertainty for knowledge? Because weak faith will save you, will you therefore rest content with it? Because assurance is not essential to your entrance into heaven, will you therefore be satisfied without it upon earth? This is not a healthy condition for your soul to be in! This is not how Christians thought in the apostolic days! Arise at once and go forward. Do not remain stuck at the foundation of Christianity; go on to perfection. Do not be content with a day of small ...