Holiness

The following quote is from the introduction of J.C. Ryle's book titled Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, & Roots. (By the way, the older authors really knew how to title a book.) May this be the start of a revival in my own heart to holiness and to your as well.

“I have had a deep conviction for many years that practical holiness and entire self-consecrations to God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians in this country (England). Politics, or controversy, or party spirit, or worldliness have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. The standard of living has become painfully low in many quarters. The immense importance of ‘adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour (Titus 2:10), and making it lovely and beautiful by our daily habits and tempers, has been far too much overlooked. Worldly people sometimes complain with reason that ‘religious’ persons, so-called, are not so amiable, and unselfish, and good-natured, as others who make no profession of religion. Yet sanctification, in its place and proportion, is quite as important as justification. Sound Protestant and evangelical doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does positive harm. It is despised by keen-sighted and shrewd men of the world, as an unreal and hollow thing, and brings religion into contempt. It is my firm impression that we want a thorough revival about scriptural holiness...” (Ryle, J.C. Holiness 2001 pg. XVI-XVII)