“Hundreds of professed converts, under religious revivals, go back to the world after a time, and bring disgrace to religion. They begin with a sadly mistaken notion of what is true Christianity. They fancy it consists in nothing more than a so-called ‘coming to Christ’, and have strong inward feelings of joy and peace.
“And so, when they find, after a time, that there is a cross to be carried, that our hearts are deceitful, and that there is a busy devil always near us, they cool down in disgust, and return to their old sins. And why? Because they had really never known what Bible Christianity is. They had never learned that we must ‘count the cost’.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle,
“The Cost”, 179.
I wonder how much of that is our fault for not telling people at the beginning of the true cost of following Christ?
In some countries conversion comes with great cost but often in the Western world this is not the case and maybe we sometimes preach a softer gospel.
Also I guess it is a fulfilment of the parable of the sower.
You’re right on Richard.
Some of it is our fault for not explaining, as Ryle points out, the cost of committing to Christ.
Wise man.
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None of us, absolutely no one–not a single one of us–can ever, ever, EVER grasp Biblical Christianity unless the Holy Spirit first causes us to become Biblical Christians. Either the Holy Spirit causes you to become a Biblical Christian or you will never ever be one, no matter how hard you try.
Thank you dear Father in Heaven for your effectual irissistable sanctifying work in your childrens’ lives. In Christ’s name!