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

by J.C. Ryle

I say that there are many Christian men and Christian women today very much like Lot. There are many real children of God who appear to know far more than they live up to and who see far more than they practice, yet they continue in this condition for many years. It is amazing that they go as far as they do, and yet go no further! They acknowledge Christ and love the truth. They like sound preaching and agree with every article of gospel doctrine when they hear it, but there is still something indescribable that is not satisfactory about them. They are constantly doing things that disappoint the expectations of their more advanced Christian friends. It is amazing that they think as they do, yet stand still!