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

by J.C. Ryle

Finally, let us never be ashamed of making much of sanctification and contending for a high standard of holiness. While some are satisfied with a miserably low degree of holy living, and while others are not ashamed to live without any holiness at all – content with a mere routine of church attendance, but never getting anywhere, like a horse in a mill – let us stand fast in the old paths, follow after eminent holiness ourselves, and recommend it boldly to others. This is the only way to be really happy. Let us be convinced, no matter what others may say, that holiness is happiness, and that the person who gets through life most comfortably is the one who is sanctified. No doubt there are some true Christians who, because of poor health, family trials, or other secret causes, enjoy little sensible comfort and go mourning all their days on the way to heaven, but these are uncommon cases. As a general rule, in the long run of life, it will be found true that sanctified people are the happiest people on earth. They have solid comforts that the world can neither give nor take away. The ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness (Proverbs 3:17). Those who love thy law have great peace (Psalm 119:165). It was said by One who cannot lie, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30), but it is also written that There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22).