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

by J.C. Ryle

There must be a real heartfelt belief that God’s promises are certain and can be depended on. There must be a sincere belief that all that God says in the Bible is true, and that every doctrine contrary to this is false, whatever anyone may say. There must be a real belief that all God’s words are to be received, however difficult and disagreeable they may be to flesh and blood, and that His way is right and all others wrong. There must be this, or you will never come out from the world, take up the cross, follow Christ, and be saved. You must learn to believe that God’s promises are better than worldly possessions, that things unseen are better than things seen, that things in heaven not yet in sight are better than things on earth before your eyes, and that the praise of the invisible God is better than the praise of visible man. Then, and only then, will you make a choice like Moses and prefer God to the world.