Conduct is the Test of Character by J.C. Ryle

What fruits are we bringing forth in our lives? Are they, or are they not, fruits of the Spirit? What kind of evidence do our words supply as to the state of our hearts?

Prove Your Profession By Fruits! By J.C. Ryle

Is not every fruitless professor of Christianity in dreadful danger of becoming a withered fig tree? There can be no doubt of it.

Let Us Live For Eternity by J.C. Ryle

Oh, that men and women would learn to live with an awareness that one day they are going to die! Truly it is a waste of time to set our hearts on a dying world and its short-lived comforts and pleasures, and for the sake of momentary pleasures to lose a glorious eternity in Heaven!

Know Your Doctrine by J.C. Ryle

“Learn to know what you mean when you talk of believing the doctrines of Christianity. Be able to give a reason of your hope.

Hypocrite: You Cannot Deceive God by J.C. Ryle

“Of all the sins into which men can fall, none seem so exceedingly sinful as false profession and hypocrisy. At all events, none have drawn from our Lord’s mouth such strong language, and such heavy denunciations.

The Inward Peace of the Christian by J.C. Ryle

Do you think that you will not be happy if you seek to have your soul saved, and to sit down in the kingdom of heaven? Cast aside the unworthy thought as a lying suggestion of the devil.

The Absolute Necessity of Repentance by J.C. Ryle

The necessity of repentance may seem at first sight a very simple and elementary truth. And yet volumes might be written to show the fullness of the doctrine, and the suitableness of it to every age and time, and to every rank and class of mankind. It is inseparably connected with right views of God, of human nature, of sin, of Christ, of holiness, and of heaven.

Unswerving Devotion to Christ by J.C. Ryle

“As a soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ.

Possessing a Sense of Your Helplessness by J.C. Ryle

How is it that many true believers often pray so coldly? What is the reason that their prayers are so feeble, wandering and lukewarm, as they frequently are? The answer is very plain:

Walk With God, Walk In Peace by J.C. Ryle

Above all, grieve not the Spirit. Quench not the Spirit. Vex not the Spirit. Drive Him not to a distance, by tampering with small bad habits and little sins.

Christ’s Pruning Knife in a Believer: Trials by J.C. Ryle

How would the great work of sanctification go on in a person if they had no trial? Trouble is often the only fire which will burn away the dross that clings to our hearts.

Beware of Being a Christian Pharisee by J.C. Ryle

There is something sadly wrong in our spiritual condition, when the only thing we look at in others is their outward Christianity, and the principal question we ask is, whether they worship in our communion, and use our ceremonial, and serve God in our way.

The Fruits of a True Conversion by J.C. Ryle

Does anyone ask me what we may expect to see in a true conversion? I reply: There will always be something seen in a converted man’s character, feelings, conduct, opinions and daily life. You will not see in him perfection; but you will see in him something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people.

Jesus And The Little Children by J.C. Ryle

UPDATE: A new J.C. Ryle 365 Day Devotional has been released from Reformation Heritage Books. This devotional was taken from hundreds of J.C. Ryle's sermons. You can order the devotional HERE.

JESUS AND LITTLE CHILDREN

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. -Luke 18:15-17

Let us observe, for one thing, in this passage, how ignorantly people are apt to treat children, in the matter of their souls. We read that there were some who "brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him." They thought most probably that it was mere waste of their Master's time, and that little children could derive no benefit from being brought to Christ. They drew from our Lord a solemn rebuke. We read that "Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Allow the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not."

The Snare of Loving Money by J.C. Ryle

Let us watch against the love of money. It is a snare to the poor as well as to the rich. It is not so much the having money, as the trusting in it, which ruins the soul.

Healthy Pulpits = Healthy Congregations by J.C. Ryle

“Let us beware of despising preaching. In every age of the Church, it has been God’s principal instrument for the awakening of sinners and the edifying of saints.

Do Not Be a Prayerless Christian! By J.C. Ryle

If Jesus is to save you, you must pray. If your sins are to be forgiven, you must pray. If the Spirit is to dwell in your heart, you must pray. If you are to have strength against sin, you must pray.

Do Not Be Surprised at Trials and Afflictions by J.C. Ryle

If we know anything of growth in grace and desire to know more, let us not be surprised if we have to go through much trial and affliction in this world.

Seeing Sin For What it Really Is by J.C. Ryle

The Christianity which is from the Holy Spirit will always have a very deep view of the sinfulness of sin. It will not merely regard sin as a blemish and misfortune, which makes men and women objects of pity, and compassion.

Being Around Unbelievers Prayerfully by J.C. Ryle

We ought not to withdraw entirely from all communion with unconverted people. It would be cowardice and indolence to do so, even if it were possible.

Model Christ’s Patience in Afflictions by J.C. Ryle

Let us diligently follow the example of Christ’s patience in all the trials and afflictions of life, especially in those which may be brought upon us by religion.

What Are You Doing With the Gospel? By J.C. Ryle

What are we doing with the Gospel? We live in a Christian land. We have the Bible in our houses. We hear of the salvation of the Gospel frequently every year. But have we received it into our hearts?

Present the Gospel Accurately by J.C. Ryle

“Do not present only one side of Christianity. Do not keep back ‘the cross’ of self-denial that must be carried, when you speak of the cross on which Christ died for our redemption. Explain fully what Christianity entails.

The Beginning of Backsliding: Little Sins by J.C. Ryle

Let us beware of the beginnings of backsliding, however small. We never know what we may come to, if we once leave the king’s highway.

Hold Firmly to the Gospel! By J.C. Ryle

Trouble or no trouble—pains or no pains—controversy, or no controversy—one thing is very sure: that nothing but Christ’s Gospel will ever do good to our own souls.