“Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27

As soon as we drift away from regular devotion, time with God, time in fellowship with the Church, or reading and study of God’s Scriptures–the very revelation of His Almighty and Sovereign nature to the crown of His creation–we will begin to lean upon our own understanding. We will have begun to stop listening to instruction. Our comprehension is so limited by its frail and flawed perceptions, it’s faulty and biased recollections that it cannot be considered reliable–particularly with respect to our relationship with God. So very soon we find ourselves flailing in ignorance, our conscience darkened in rebellion.

It just happens. It is so natural. It’s the way we were made. We have the capacity to commune with the Almighty Creator of the universe. And, we have the capacity to turn away. Moses and Abraham, men who talked with God as a man would talk with a friend, were just like us. They had the same feelings and failings as we do. They may have been in a different culture, dressed differently or talked differently, but they were men just like us. They had their own stumbling and distractions. But, they sought after God with their entire being (loving God with all their mind, heart, body and soul) and God met with them. He used them, led them, and blessed them. He continually blesses us through them. And because of their faith and the actions they took based upon that faith, i.e., their obedient commitment to do the works God prepared for them, they grew even closer to Him. Their faith itself is the very same gift from God that we received. The same yesterday, today and forever!

We have the same access to God made perfect now by the blood of the Lamb which Abraham and Moses saw only in the distance by the Spirit.

As Jesus pointed out when He referred to the God (i.e., the Great I Am) of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, He is the God of the living and not of the dead. Because He lives, they do also. Likewise, we live and will live.

We cannot live apart from Him. So, when we stop reading His Word, stop listening to instruction, grow rebellious or doubtful in our hearts, we will fall away. We must abide in Him.

There is no choice in the outcome. The choice is to abide in Him, continue listening to His instruction or allow ourselves to drift away. The outcome is as sure as gravity. If you jump off the roof, you will go down! Stop listening to instruction, stop meeting together as some are inclined to do, stop reading the Word, stop spending more than a fleeting few moments in prayer conversing with and listening for God and you will stray. The next thing you know you will be relying on your own understanding and falling in ignorance still thinking all is well.

So, please get back into the Word if you’ve stopped. Start praying again. He’s always listening. Get into fellowship with a Bible-believing Church. Listen to sound teaching from Scripture. If you have been doing these things, don’t drift away. Be encouraged. And, encourage others.

Praying for you. In Love.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭ESV

What does he means by “caught” in any transgression? Does he mean “found out” like being “caught red-handed” in sin? Were you caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Who thinks he is not caught this way? God sees always. And, we always catch ourselves because we have to see what we’re doing–even though we make immediate excuses for our conduct.

Or, does he mean caught from their perspective, being “trapped” or “ensnared” or “entangled” in sin?

Does he mean only a physical involvement with sin or transgressing? Or, does he also intend to cover the mental trap that some of us find ourselves dealing with–like continual temptations and returns to pornography or to gambling or to excessive drinking–on a daily or other seemingly regular basis? Or, does he mean to include the occasional straying from the path of righteousness and holiness too?

Perhaps it covers all these and more! Whatever the circumstances of the sin or step in the development of the transgression (James 1:14-16), it is a spiritual matter. And it is not beyond restoration!

Just as one rescuing a drowning swimmer or fallen climber or even a cat in a tree, the rescuer must first take care to protect himself–physically and emotionally and in attitude and thought, spiritually. A rescuer must not be distracted. A rescuer must be prepared. A rescuer must focus on the person in need of help, not the accolades for saving the other. So, keep watch.

And, work gently. You do not want to further entangle or cause the one in need of help to further endanger himself or herself. If you do not go gently, it could soon be two, not just one, needing rescue.‬‬

Our notes do not indicate whether this was a direct quote or not. There is absolutely no intent to claim any of this as our own. It is attributed to Ryle completely. We can tell you that J.C. Ryle’s writings, particularly his encouragements in Holiness have been and continue to be instructive.

Some thoughts from JC Ryle, on the topic of love for Christ. Recalling the question asked of Peter by the Risen Lord, “Do you love me?”

• If we love a person, we like to think about him. We do not need to be reminded. We do not forget his name, his appearance, his character, his opinions, his tastes, his positions, or his occupation.
• If we love a person, we like to hear about him.
• If we love a person, we read about him. What intense pleasure a letter from an absent husband give his wife, or a letter from an absent son to his mother.
• If we love a person, we like to please him. We are glad to consult his tastes and opinions, to act upon his advice, and do the things which he approves.
• If we love a person, we like his friends.
• If we love a person, we are jealous about his name and honour. We will defend him if we hear his name disparaged.
• If we love a person, we like to talk to him.
• If we love a person, we like to be always with him. We like to be near him.

“I speak of things that are familiar to everyone. I need not dwell upon them any further. They are as old as the hills. They are understood all over the world. There is hardly a branch of Adam’s family that does not know something of affection and love. Then let it never be said that we cannot find out whether a Christian really loves Christ. It can be known; it may be discovered; the proofs are all ready to your hand. You have heard them this very day. Love to the Lord Jesus Christ is no hidden, secret, impalpable thing. It is like the light—it will be seen. It is like sound—it will be heard. It is like heat—it will be felt. Where it exists it cannot be hid. Where it cannot be seen you may be sure there is none.”

Ryle, J.C.. Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots.

God is no respecter of persons. It does not matter whether one is a king, a rich man, ruler, pauper, beggar, tax collector, prostitute, the same rules apply to all. He is the origin of equal protection. Similarly situated people deserve similar treatment under law absent at least a rational distinction can be made.

So, when we look at the judgments of God for various wrongs, moral failures, rebellions, hasty decisions and so on in the Old Testament, and even Ananias and Sapphira in the New, how are we to be treated differently and still do justice by them?

Jesus makes the difference. And the election of God. Can the clay say to the potter you made me wrong? We are God’s workmanship. Grace is greater than all of our sin. If I had cherished sin (not just whether I had sinned, but “cherished” sin) in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18.

So now, if we know the redemption from sin in Jesus and have been forgiven, how can we continue in sin after that?

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