Began reading Holiness by J.C. Ryle again recently and am finding it, to use his word, “eminently” helpful. Here are some excerpts from the practical applications in Ch. 2 on sanctification.

1. Let us all awake to the perilous state of many professing Christians. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord”; without sanctification there is no salvation (Heb 12:14)
2. Let us make sure work of our own condition and never rest till we feel and know that we are “sanctified” ourselves. What are our tastes, and choices, and likings and inclinations? This is the great testing question.
3. If we would be sanctified, our course is clear and plain—we must begin with Christ. We must go to Him as sinners, with no plea but that of utter need, and cast our souls on Him by faith, for peace and reconciliation with God.
4. We must continually go on as we began, and be ever making fresh applications to Christ. He is the Head from which every member must be supplied (Eph. 4:16)
5. Let us not expect too much from our own hearts her below. At our best we shall find in ourselves daily cause for humiliation, and discover that we are needy debtors to mercy and grace every hour. The more light we have, the more we shall see our own imperfection.
6. Finally, let us never be ashamed of making much of sanctification, and contending for a high standard of holiness…let us stand fast in the old paths, follow after eminent holiness ourselves, and recommend it boldly to others. This is the only way to really be happy.

Ryle’s words blow through my mind like a fresh October wind, clearing out the dank, dingy worldliness and mediocrity which attempts to take hold of my heart. Thank God for holy men.