Practical Religion # 4

Self-Inquiry (continued)

2. Let me ask, in the second place, whether we ever do anything about our souls?

There are multitudes who think occasionally about religion, but unhappily never get beyond thinking. After a stirring sermon - or after a funeral, - or under the pressure of illness, - or after attending church, - or when things are going on badly in their families, - or when they meet some bright example of a Christian, - or when they fall in with some striking religious book or tract, - they will at the time think a good deal, and even talk a little about religion in a vague way. But they stop short, as if thinking and talking were enough to save them. They are always meaning and  intending, and purposing, and resolving, and wishing, and telling us that they "know" what is right, and "hope" to be found right at last, but they never attain to any action. There is no actual separation from the service of the world and sin, no real taking up the cross and following Christ, no positive "doing" in their Christianity.

Their life is spent in playing the part of the son in our Lord's parable, to whom the father said, "Go, work in my vineyard: and he answered, I go, sir, and went not." (Matthew 21:30). They are like those whom Ezekiel describes, who like his preaching, but never practiced what he preached: - "They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not." (Ezekiel 23:31, 32). In a day like this, when hearing and thinking, without "doing", is so common, no one an justly wonder that I press upon men the absolute need of self-examination.

Once more, then, I ask my readers to consider the question of my text, - "How do we do about our souls?"

3. Let me ask, in the third place, whether we are trying to satisfy our consciences with a mere formal religion?"

There are myriads at this moment who are making shipwreck on this rock. Like the Pharisees of old, make much ado about the outward part of Christianity, while the inward and spiritual part is totally neglected.

They are careful to attend all the services of their place of worship, and regular in using all its forms and ordinances.

They are never absent from Communion when the Lord's Supper is administered. Sometimes they are most strict in observing Lent, and attach great importance to Saints' days. They are often keen partisans of their own Church, or sect, or congregation, and ready to contend with anyone who does not agree with them. Yet all this time there is no "heart" in their religion. Anyone who knows them intimately can see with half an eye that their affections are set on things below, and not on things above; and that they are trying to make up for the want of inward Christianity by an excessive quantity of outward form. And this formal religion does them no real good.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 5)