A Christless Heaven In Chapter 16 of Holiness, Ryle explains that “to be without Christ is to be without heaven” (Ryle 346). Not only does this mean that without Christ no one can enter into heaven, but it also means that a heaven devoid of Christ or God would cease to be heaven at all. He justifies this claim by thoughtfully pointing to the descriptions of heaven in Revelation that are all centered around the Lamb of Christ: the throne, the light, the temple, and the supper (Revelation 5:6; 22:3, 21:22; 19:9)....

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. Overcoming Pornography Throughout Chapter 14 of Holiness, Ryle offers challenging exhortations to professing Christians in visible churches. In his general discussion of overcoming sin, I found myself thinking about a particular sin that has wrecked countless lives: pornography....

Navigating Civil Duties In chapter 24 of To the Judicious and Impartial Reader: Baptist Symbolics Volume 2, Renihan discusses the role and responsibilities of civil magistrates along with the Christian duty to obey and pray for such authorities. The discussion of the confession is based on two key passages: Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. These letters were likely written during the 1st century in a culture that was morally depraved and deeply hostile towards the Christian faith....

Lot’s Lingering Life In chapter 9 of Ryle’s Holiness, the account of Lot’s lingering life is presented as a negative example and cautionary tale for the Christian. Genesis 13 and 19 suggest that Lot was strongly swayed by worldly temptations and competing desires, hesitating to trust in God’s word, and seeking to please man. The fruits of his life include: His weak influence on his family and neighbors His despicable decision to offer his daughters to worthless men The notorious loss of his worldly wife His drunk, degenerate behavior with his daughters in a cave Additionally, the enduring legacy he leaves – the emergence of the Moabites and Ammonites, perennial adversaries of God’s people – stands as a testament to the lasting impact of a life marred by indecision and spiritual compromise....

Faith and The Pursuit of True Treasure In Chapter 8 of Holiness, Ryle presents Moses’ story as a worthy example of faith for believers. Overcoming the temptations of rank and greatness, pleasures, and riches in Egypt, Moses willingly chooses suffering and affliction, the company of a despised people, and reproach and scorn, much like Christ. Hebrews 11:26 reveals a profound truth of how Moses overcame these great temptations of man:...