I admit fully that the manner of the Spirit’s working is invisible. It is like the wind. It is like the attractive power of the magnet.
It is like the influence of the moon upon the tides. There is something about it far beyond the reach of a person’s eyes or understanding. But while I admit this decidedly, I maintain no less decidedly that the effects of the Spirit’s work in conversion will always be seen. Those effects may be weak and feeble at first; to the natural man they may hardly be visible, and not understood. But effects there always will be; some fruit will always be seen where there is true conversion. Where no effect can be seen, there you may be sure there is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion.
It is like the influence of the moon upon the tides. There is something about it far beyond the reach of a person’s eyes or understanding. But while I admit this decidedly, I maintain no less decidedly that the effects of the Spirit’s work in conversion will always be seen. Those effects may be weak and feeble at first; to the natural man they may hardly be visible, and not understood. But effects there always will be; some fruit will always be seen where there is true conversion. Where no effect can be seen, there you may be sure there is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion.
~ J.C. Ryle
Tract: Conversion
