“I place these five grand marks of the Spirit’s presence before my readers, and confidently claim attention to them. I believe they will bear inspection. I am not afraid of their being searched, criticized, and cross-examined.
1) Repentance toward God.
2) Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
3) Holiness of heart and life.
4) Habits of real private prayer.
5) Love and reverence toward God’s Word.
“These are the real proofs of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in a man’s soul. Where He is, these marks will be seen. Where He is not, these marks will be lacking.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Old Paths, “The Holy Ghost”, 285.
5 responses so far ↓
Troy Johson // October 26, 2009 at 12:41 pm |
There is no excuse for not doing these things, but with that said, JC Ryle did not live in the time of TV, internet, cell phone, Awana, kids activities and the like. I don’t think he even had electricity yet?
al // October 26, 2009 at 6:21 pm |
Ryle’s statement seems as sound and valid for today as it was in his time.
Your comment seems self-contradictory, Troy– please explain your point…
Thanks,
al
Troy // October 27, 2009 at 9:06 am |
I’ll be more clear. I’m not one that believes strongly in a ‘carnal’ Christian. I do lean toward the view of Lordship Salvation. Just praying a prayer doesn’t save you. I believe as Ryle’s does/did that there will be obvious evidence of one’s faith. I have two points: 1. the 5 marks are not only ‘marks’ but necessary to live victorious in lives today (which are even more challenging today; tv, net, cells, etc..) 2. I have to be careful to believe that those ‘marks’ are 100% accurate. What about those times (which I believe we all go through) when we’re not hungry for God’s word and we’re not consistent in our prayer life?
al // October 27, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
Troy, thanks for clarifying, and I pretty much agree with your latest comment. As to #1, however, I tend toward believing that “Sufficient unto the day are the evils thereof,” carries over into implying that each age is as challenging to its believers in Christ as any other has been or will be to those of faith in its time.
Re: your “What about those times…” question in #2, we should derive great encouragement from knowing that it is the life of Christ in us that produces those ‘marks,’ and not vice-versa. If, during such seemingly dry times, the marks are not visible to us, they may yet be visible to others, and are most certainly visible to our Lord as He views them through the seal He has set upon us. As we examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith, we must be exercised to evaluate according to God’s promises and not by the present experience…
Blessings,
al
Troy // October 27, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
thanks I appreciate your input al