J. C. Ryle Quotes

My ultimate goal is to become a saint.

Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.

For he that is a good man, is three quarters of his way towards the being a good Christian, wheresoever he lives, or whatsoever he is called.

Grace is the mother and nurse of holiness, and not the apologist of sin.

Heaven does not make holiness, but holiness makes heaven.

Heaven is not to be looked upon only as the reward, but the natural effect, of a religious life.

If God permits virtue to be persecuted on earth, it is not for us to question his intentions. It may be that his rewards are held over for another life, for is it not true as written in Holy Scripture that the Lord chastenenth only the righteous! And after all, is not virtue it's own reward?

We are not saved because we're good. We're good because we're saved.

A true Christian man is distinguished from other men, not so much by his beneficent works, as by his patience.

Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

Materialism prevails in Europe today. You may pray for the salvation of the modern sceptics, but they do not yield, they want reason.

My purpose in life is to do right and to glorify God.

Do what you may, strive as earnestly as you can, live as excellently as you please, make what sacrifices you choose, be as eminent as you can for everything that is lovely and of good repute, yet none of these things can be pleaseing to God unless they be mixed with faith.

The soul may ask God for anything, and never fail.

Grace does not lead us to overlook obedience. Grace compels and empowers us for obedience.

The breast of a good man is a little heaven commencing on earth; where the Deity sits enthroned with unrivaled influence, every subjugated passion, "like the wind and storm, fulfilling his word.

Holiness is the strength of the soul. It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy. When holiness is achieved by conforming to God's will, one knows intuitively that which is wrong and that which is right before the Lord. Holiness speaks when there is silence, encouraging that which is good or reproving that which is wrong.

It is sweet to be nothing and less than nothing that Christ may be all in all.

The conditions of praying are the conditions of righteousness, holiness, and salvation.

Christian hope does not promise successful days to the rich and the strong, but resurrection and life to those who must exist in the shadows of death. Success is no name of God. Righteousness is.

Be radical about grace and relentless about truth and resolute about holiness.

All true religion must stand on true morality.

Humankind's ladder to God is a ladder of deeds.

Faith does not inquire whether there are good works to be done, but even before asking questions, faith has done the works already.

Obedience is the pathway to holiness.