Christen zijn in het dagelijks leven: over de praktijk van het geloof

by J.C. Ryle, P.J. de Gier (Translator)

Een handboek over de praktijk van het christelijk geloof. Met gevoel voor realiteit bespreekt Ryle op de hem eigen krachtige en doordringende wijze de belangrijkste themas van het christelijk leven. Ryle beoogde met dit boek een beknopte gids aan te reiken voor de dagelijkse plichten en verantwoordelijkheden waarmee een christen wordt geconfronteerd.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Discipleship, Audiobook

380 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Jennifer Freitag · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all respect to the excellent C.S. Lewis, if you have the option of reading either Mere Christianity or J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion, Practical Religion is the wiser option. In this collection of papers is a thorough-going examination of numerous critical aspects of the Christian faith, handled with such unswerving firmness and compassion that I have yet to encounter in any other book. If you are a strong Christian, this is a book to sweeten your soul. If you are a Christian in daily need of reassurance and plagued by uncertainties, this is a book which patiently examines the Scriptures to set your feet more firmly on the path of faith. If you are an unbeliever without any real interest in spiritual matters, Ryle presents to you the ardent need to take thought for your soul and at the very least entertain the arguments of God's word. If you are adamantly against Christianity, here you will find arguments respectfully presented and handled which you would do well to hear.

Upon all these points, J.C. Ryle does not bent from the authority of Scripture, the seriousness of the human condition apart from God's grace, the availability of that grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and the reality of the fact that there will come a time when the option to find salvation will be removed from the table. He exhorts all to take heed of their souls while there is time, he builds up the believer in the truths of Scripture. His compassion is deep, his faith unwavering. In whatever station of life you find yourself, and whatever your beliefs, this is a book which deserves consideration. I would recommend Practical Religion to all.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic J.C. Ryle - Solid. Challenging. Biblical.

[Chase Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to think of what I could say in this review to make people read this book, but my words alone would not be sufficient. This book puts fuel to the Christian life in ways that will call you to persevere for the sake of Christ and long for the day you are with him face-to-face. I’ve recently been thinking much on the whole concept of “time” and how important it is for the Christian life. Oddly enough Ryle spends a lot of the book talking about time, and the importance of not wasting it in this temporal place. He makes you long for eternity and exposits Scripture pertaining to time. Have to end my review with a quote from the book because it’d be foolish to not let the people in on what Ryle says in these pages.

“Look forward, finally, and hope for the coming of the Lord… One thing, at any rate, that day will make abundantly clear. It will show that there was never an hour in our lives in which we gave our hearts too thoroughly to Christ.”

Read good books. Praise God for them.

[Bob O'Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, this is one of the best books I've ever read on the basic tenets of living the Christian life. If it were not a little lengthy (462 pages), I would give it to every new convert as a simple, clear, profound, theologically sound and practical examination of such topics as Bible reading, love, happiness, sickness, wealth, zeal and the afterlife. The chapter on prayer is the best thing I've ever read on the subject, and it is certain to increase the desire of any true believer who wants to draw closer to Christ in the private place.

Ryle was simply the master of the elegant and memorable gospel observation, such as:

"Although men may get on comfortably without the Bible while they live, it is sure that without the Bible they cannot comfortably die."

"Tell me what a man's prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of his soul."

"Why should men ever doubt, when they look at you, whether it is a pleasant thing to be one of God's children?"

"(The Christian) ought not to set his watch by the clock of his neighbor but by the sundial of the Word."

"Presume not on a death-bed repentance. One dying thief was saved that men might not despair but only one that none might presume."

"Money – there is trouble in getting it, anxiety in keeping it, temptation in using it, guilt in abusing it, sorrow in losing it."

Some have "too much religion to be happy in the world, and too much of the world to be happy in their religion."

"Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer."

"To not go into extremes, to be good and yet not peculiar, to have a moderate kind of Christianity – this is the worlds favorite idea."

"Many believers seem so dreadfully afraid of doing harm that they hardly ever dare to do good."

It's not like there is anything new in this book – after all, it was written in the late 1800s. But Ryle has this uncanny ability to examine simple gospel truths with such penetrating insight that you end up relishing them like it was the first time you heard them.

So thankful that the Banner of Truth seeks out these forgotten treasures and delivers them into the hands of God's people. This book is a very good way to fall in love with the gospel all over again.

[Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am a dying man in a dying world. All before me is dark. The world to come is a harbour unknown. But Christ is there, and that is enough. Surely if there is rest and peace in following Him by faith on earth, there will be far more rest and leave when we see Him face to face.” — p. 397

[Erin Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has probably been the most edifying and enriching book I have read thus far as a Christian. JC Ryles writes with such beautiful, clear, convicting, bold, and soul-searching language. I found myself wanting to stop to pray through or highlight almost every other sentence. It felt as if I was sitting down with JC Ryle over coffee, receiving personal counsel, encouragement, and exhortation directly from him. All throughout this book, my heart was emotionally moved and I found my affections for Christ increased, my eye of faith made more clear, and my spiritual vigour renewed. As per its title, this book offers valuable practical help and guidance for living the Christian life, showing how doctrine ought to impact our day-to-day way of life. Reading Ryle’s entreaties to unbelievers also helped me feel more equipped to speak to others about the loveliness of Christ and the gospel. The chapters on prayer, self-exertion, zeal, and sickness were particularly excellent and the best I have read so far on these subjects. I HIGHLY recommend this book for all people—new Christians, seasoned Christians, those apathetic towards the faith, and even skeptics.

The following quotes from the book briefly capture some of what I have just mentioned:

“Believers, if you would have an increase of happiness in Christ's service, labour every year to grow in grace. Beware of standing still. The holiest men are always the happiest. Let your aim be every year to be more holy,—to know more, to feel more, to see more of the fulness of Christ. Rest not upon old grace: do not be content with the degree of religion whereunto you have attained. Search the Scriptures more earnestly; pray more fervently; hate sin more; mortify self-will more; become more humble the nearer you draw to your end; seek more direct personal communion with the Lord Jesus; strive to be more like Enoch,— daily walking with God; keep your conscience clear of little sins; grieve not the Spirit; avoid wranglings and disputes about the lesser matters of religion: lay more firm hold upon those great truths, without which no man can be saved. Remember and practise these things, and you will be more happy.”

“If there is anything which a man ought to do thoroughly, really, truly, honestly, and with all his heart, it is the business of his soul. If there is any work which he ought never to slur over, and do in a slovenly fashion, it is the great work of working out his own salvation' (Phil. 2:12). Believer in Christ, remember this! Whatever you do in religion, do it well. Be real. Be thorough. Be honest. Be true.”

“Look forward, finally, and hope for the coming of the Lord. Your best things are yet to come. The second coming of Christ will soon be here. The time of temptation will soon be past and gone. The judgment and reward of the saints shall soon make amends for all. Rest in the hope of that day. Work, watch, and look forward.—One thing, at any rate, that day will make abundantly clear. It will show that there was never an hour in our lives in which we gave our hearts too thoroughly to Christ.”

“I commend to you, in the last place, the importance of watchfulness over your prayers. Prayer is that point of all others in religion at which you must be on your guard. Here it is that true religion begins: here it flourishes, and here it decays. Tell me what a man's prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of his soul. Prayer is the spiritual pulse: by this the spiritual health may always be tested. Prayer is the spiritual weather glass: by this we may always know whether it is fair or foul with our hearts. Oh, let us keep an eye continually upon our private devotions! Here is the pith, and marrow, and backbone of our practical Christianity. Sermons, and books, and tracts, and committee meetings, and the company of good men, are all good in their way; but they will never make up for the neglect of private prayer. . . . If you will only take care of your prayers, I will engage that nothing shall go very wrong with your soul.”

“First of all, how are you using your time? Life is short and very uncertain. You never know what a day may bring forth. Business and pleasure, money getting and money spending, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,— all, all will soon be over and done with for ever. And you, what are you doing for your immortal soul? Are you wasting time, or turning it to good account? Are you preparing to meet God?”

[Samuel Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the books I was reading, I was the most excited to continue to return to this one. Perhaps it was partly because it was a gift from an esteemed sister in the ministry who is no longer with us to raise the next generation or perhaps partly because I had the opportunity to discuss it with a brother who also received it as a gift. But I think it was really just due to the book's content. J.C. Ryle expounds on the many gifts we as Christians have received through our union with Christ. As the title suggests, each chapter ends with a practical call to apply the preceding truth, which coincides with my ongoing conviction to live intentionally for the glory of God.

An ongoing realization over the past year has been how much of my Christianity have been matters of form rather than an experiential, genuine relationship with God. And it shows outwardly as the knowledge I accrue often feels empty and lacking in action.

My hope and prayer are that this conviction will continue to grow, rather than becoming a mere fond memory in my later years. I pray that I do not excuse a lack of fervor for the Lord as a sign of maturity or use the excuse of good stewardship to justify my hopes and cares being focused on worldly things.

If I could give halves, I’d give this a 4.5/5! :)

Funny side note: When I read the Preface and saw it was written by J.C. Ryle, I was like “wow! That’s cool!” Then I realized that the entire book was written by him. (His name was written on the cover as John Charles Ryle).

Favorite quotes:

“Yet, weak and imperfect as the holiness of the best saints may be, it is a real true thing, and has a character about it as unmistakable as light and salt. It is not a thing which begins and ends with noisy profession: it will be seen much more than heard.”

“Your repentance may be feeble, but let it be real; your faith may be weak, but let it be real; your desires after holiness may be mingled with much infirmity, but let them be real…Be all that you profess. Though you may err, be real. Though you may stumble, be true.”

“The charity [love] of the Bible will show itself in the general spirit and demeanor of a believer. It will make him kind, unselfish, good-natured, good-tempered, and considerate for others. It will make him gentle, affable, and courteous, in all the daily relations of private life, thoughtful for others’ comfort, tender for others’ feelings, and more anxious to give pleasure than to receive. True charity never envies others when they prosper, nor rejoices in the calamities of others when they are in trouble. At all times it will believe, and hope, and try to put a good construction on others’ doings. And even at the worst, it will be full of pity, mercy, and compassion.”

“I denounce this notion of a middle class [Christian], as an immense and soul-ruining delusion…It is a refuge of lies,—a castle in the air…—a vast unreality,—an empty dream. This middle class is a class of Christians nowhere spoken of in the Bible.”

“The meanest insect that crawls is a nobler being than you are: it fills its place in creation, and glorifies its Maker with all its power and you do not. You do not honor God with heart, and will, and intellect, and members, which are His. You…live as if time was of more importance than eternity, and body better than soul. You dare to neglect God’s greatest gift, — His own incarnate Son. You are cold about that subject which fills all heaven with hallelujahs. And so long as this is the case you belong to the worthless part of mankind. You are the ‘chaff’ of the earth.”

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian needs to read this book.
Every skeptic needs to read this book.
Every atheist needs to read this book.
Every person of another religion needs to read this book.
Apart from the Bible itself there are few books that I have read that arrive to the heart of the matter of what it means to be a Christian in a more accurate, heart-felt and practical way. Often I have looked back at the date it was finished writing. Can it really have been written in 1878? It could not have been written yesterday and be more current.
Read it and do yourself a favor.

[Joshua Schwisow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the finest books on practical Christian living. Ryle speaks with simplicity and force in his exhortations. This is a classic alongside his more well known “Holiness.”

[Alina Neacsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

JC Ryle are un dar divin sa te faca sa te indragostesti de Domnul nostru Isus Hristos. Si daca nu acesta este scopul oricarui autor citit, mai bine nu ai fi citit niciodata.
"Practicarea credintei crestine" este un punct de unde Duhul Sfant misca inimile credinciosilor inspre a-i aduce la pocainta, este o lamă care taie si te constientizeaza de cat de ticalos esti in urma pacatelor tale. Mai apoi aduce speranta, si ti-L prezinta pe Dumnezeu in cea mai mare Splendoare a Sa!
Si gata, esti convertit!
Dumnezeu sa lucreze la inimile copiilor Lui, prin citirea acestei carti (si altele ale lui Ryle) asta fiind si dorinta autorului insusi.
Slava lui Dumnezeu!

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living With a View to Eternity

I have reads books on Systematic Theology, because they help you organize what you believe. I read books on Apologetics, because they help you defend what you believe. And I read books on Biblical Theology, because they help you focus on Whom it is you believe. But until now, I have never read a book on Practical Religion, which helps you establish in the first place that you believe.

J.C. Ryle wrote Practical Religion to discuss “the daily duties, dangers, experiences, and privileges of all who profess and call themselves true Christians.” Although Christianity was widespread in England when he wrote way back in 1878, Ryle was concerned that much of it was a sham, a mere surface religion concerned only with form and appearance, and that true Evangelical Christianity was actually unpopular and looked down upon.

It’s surprising that true, heart-felt religion would in those days “provoke a sneer, and [would] bring on yourself the reproach of being an ‘unlearned and ignorant man’.” But I suppose that itself is why this book continues to be relevant today. As I read the pages, I feel as if I am sitting in a congregation listening to one speaking and pleading to us in this very day. Because the tenor of the times hasn’t really changed in 150 years: to be a true Christian is unpopular and it requires thought and introspection to prevent one from settling for a superficial profession because such a profession would in fact be a false one.

Each of the 21 chapters is a paper covering a specific topic to which Ryle urges us to consider with a zeal that is impossible to ignore once one begins reading. There is no detached “do this and live” as if one was listening to Moses thundering at Mt. Sinai. Instead, one feels the urgency and pleading tone of one who is standing in front of his congregation, who knows and loves those to whom he is speaking, and who wants them to wake up and be fully aware of the what each person stands to gain and what he stands to lose. Eternity hangs in the balance and he does not want a single soul to be lost!

And of all the subjects covered in these many chapters, he singles out Prayer as of special importance. “Prayer is the most important subject in practical religion. All other subjects are second to it. Reading the Bible, keeping the Sabbath, hearing sermons, attending public worship, going to the Lord’s Table – all these are very weighty matters. But none of them are so important as private prayer.” Why? Because while none of these things are “absolutely needful to salvation,” the same thing cannot be said about prayer. “It is absolutely needful to salvation that a man should pray.” For one thing, though salvation is absolutely by grace alone, nevertheless, one must ask for it, and this request is by prayer.

Throughout the book, Ryle urges the reader to introspect, to examine themselves and see whether they merely profess Christianity or whether they actually possess it. Because the former does not necessarily entail the latter. And so “a habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.” Conversely, however, “not praying is a clear proof that a man is not yet a true Christian.”

Furthermore, the practice of prayer can give great comfort to the one who lacks assurance of his salvation: “…Of all the evidences of real work of the Spirit, a habit of hearty private prayer is one of the most satisfactory that can be named. A man may preach from false motives. A man may write books, and make fine speeches, and seem diligent in good works, and yet be a Judas Iscariot. But a man seldom goes into his closet, and pours out his soul before God in secret, unless he is in earnest.”

“Prayer is to faith what breath is to life. How a man can live and not breath is past my comprehension, and how a man can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too.”

Another theme which is urged upon the reader is the importance of separation from the world. Ryle could have written these words in 2021 rather than 1878:

“There is a widely-spread desire to make things pleasant in religion, to saw off the corners and edges of the cross, and to avoid, as far as possible, self-denial. On every side we hear professing Christians declaring loudly that we must not be ‘narrow and exclusive’… That we may go anywhere, and do anything, and keep any company, and plunge into anything, and all the while may be very good Christians – this is the maxim of thousands.”

“If you know nothing of separation, I warn you affectionately that your soul is in great danger. The world passeth away; and they who cling to the world, and think only of the world, will pass away with it to everlasting ruin. Awake to know your peril before it be too late. Awake and flee from the wrath to come. The time is short. The end of all things is at hand… The great white throne will soon be set up. The judgment will begin. The books will be opened. Awake, and come out of the world while it is called today.”

And words of hope are offered to those who struggle with assurance that they will persevere in their faith:

“I do not believe, when David has rescued the lamb from the paws of the lion, that he left it weak and wounded to perish in the wilderness. I cannot believe when the Lord Jesus has delivered a soul from the snare of the devil that He will ever leave that soul to take his chance, and wrestle on in his own feebleness, against sin, the devil, and the world.”

“Oh no, He does not do so! He is a perfect and complete Saviour. Those whom He loves, He loves unto the end. Those whom He washes in His blood He never leaves nor forsakes…. All whom He quickens by His Spirit He will also bring with Him when He enters His kingdom.”

In Practical Religion, Ryle gives us tools and practices to make our calling and election sure. We can know that we are among Christ’s sheep, and we can strive to deepen our walk with the Lord so that our religion is true and not a false one of mere formality. And we can experience a sense of happiness, of calm and contentment that the calamities of this world can never shake. Finally, when we approach the end of our lives, we can be assured that He is right there with us:

“The Lord cares for his believing people in their deaths. Their times are all in the Lord’s hand. The hairs on their heads are all numbered, and not one can ever fall to the ground without their Father. They are kept on earth till they are ripe and ready for glory, and not one moment longer…. And when they breathe their last, they fall asleep in Christ, and are at once carried, like Lazarus, into Abraham’s bosom. Yes! It is a blessed thing to be Christ’s wheat!”

“Death locks the door on the unbeliever, and shuts him out from hope. But death opens the door to the believer, and lets him into paradise.”

Just this morning in church, the minister told us of a 19-year-old young man who had just died suddenly and tragically in a snowmobile accident. He was a star athlete and a leader who was looked up to by his peers. But at his funeral nobody spoke of these things. Entire pews were filled by young people who sat at rapt attention and heard of his love for Jesus, his view of things of this world from the perspective of eternity, and his readiness for glory. The practical religion practiced by this young man was a powerful testimony to these young people that to live is Christ and to die is gain, that death can come at any time, and that this is not our home and so we must not live as if it is.

This is the readiness that J.C. Ryle urges us to own for ourselves.

[Aardvark · Rating 4 out of 5]

very thankful that an esteemed sister in the ministry who is no longer with us gifted this book to me.
this is classic j.c. ryle: earnest, practical, punchy, and memorable lines, with an evangelistic call at the end of each chapter. but, i do have a few issues with this book. the first is that because this is not really a cohesive book, but a compilation of a series of papers, it was a little less interesting of a read. what didn't help was that each chapter was similarly formatted, where ryle would take a theme, flesh it out in his routine fashion, and then finish with the same sign-off of calling unbelievers to repentance, encouraging weaker believers to depend on Jesus, and exhorting stronger believers to continue on in their strength.
another thing that i didn't like, and that i also interestingly thought of when i read "holiness", was that the ending chapter topics seemed more random, and were less good than the beginning chapters. and so, the read definitely dropped off a little bit by the time i got to the end of the book.
aside from that though, i was continually challenged throughout the book, especially when ryle talks about prayer, leisure time, and zeal.

"beware of cooling down. you only have to be lazy, and to sit still, and you will soon lose all your warmth."

[Mike E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is available on-line as a free PDF download. I am reading a version published in London: 1883, William Hunt & Company. It is a collection of "papers" or sermons written in plain language to stir the souls of readers to Christ. Ryle had served as a pastor for 37 years when he wrote these. His ability to understand both the Word and the common, frail condition of the human soul is as penetrating as it is helpful. On this Thanksgiving Day 2013 he has spoken to me in the chapter entitled "Self-Exertion." In this, he stirs the soul to "Strive" from Luke 13:24.

The Holy Spirit speaks to me, powerfully, through Ryle. The chapters in this book can be read in any order; they stand alone. Chapter titles include: Reality, Prayer, Going to the Table, Freedom, Happiness, Sickness, Riches and Poverty.
========

Believe me, he is your best friend who tells you the most truth (4).

Are we living as if we long to see Him again, and love His appearing?--Readiness for that appearing is nothing more than being a real, consistent Christian. It requires no man to cease from his daily business. The farmer need not give up his farm, nor the shopkeeper his counter, nor the doctor his patients, nor the carpenter his hammer and nails, nor the bricklayer his mortar and trowel, nor the blacksmith his smithy. Each and all cannot do better then be found doing his duty, but doing it as a _Christian_, and with a heart packed up and ready to be gone. (19)

To be truly happy a man must have sources of gladness which are not dependent on anything in this world (235).

[Todd Wilhelm]

Striving to Enter the Kingdom
J.C. Ryle, “Practical Religion”
Pages 41-45

What shall I say of those who are irregular about public worship on Sundays? There are thousands who answer this description. Sometimes, if they feel disposed, they go to some church, and attend a religious service; at other times they stay at home and read the paper, or idle about, or look over their accounts, or seek some amusement. Is this striving? I speak to men with common sense. Let them judge what I say.

What shall I say of those who come regularly to a place of worship, but come entirely out of habit? There are many in every part of our country in this condition. Their fathers taught them to come; their custom has always been to come: it would not be respectable to stay away. But they care nothing for the worship of God when they do come. Whether they hear law or gospel, truth or error, it is all the same to them. They remember nothing afterwards. They take off their form of religion with their Sunday clothes, and return to the world. Is this striving? I speak to men with common sense. Let them judge what I say.

What shall I say of those who seldom or never read the Bible? There are thousands of people, I fear, who answer this description. They know the Book by name; they know it is commonly regarded as the only book that teaches us how to live and how to die; but they can never find time for reading it. Newspapers, reviews, novels, romances, they can read, but not the Bible. Is this striving? I speak to men with common sense. Let them judge what I say.

What shall I say of those who never pray? There are multitudes, I firmly believe, in this condition. Without God they rise in the morning, and without God they lie down at night. They ask for nothing; they confess nothing; they return thanks for nothing; they seek nothing. They are all dying creatures, and yet they are not even on speaking terms with their Maker and their Judge! Is this striving? I speak to men with common sense. Let them judge what I say.

It is a solemn thing to be a minister of the Gospel. It is a painful thing to look on, and see the ways of mankind in spiritual matters. We hold in our hands that great law book of God, which declares that without repentance, and conversion, and faith in Christ, and holiness, no man living can be saved. In discharge of our office we urge man to repent, believe and be saved; but, to our grief, how frequently we have to lament that our labor seems all in vain. Men attend our churches, and listen, and approve; but do not ‘strive’ to be saved. We show the sinfulness of sin; we unfold the loveliness of Christ; we expose the vanity of the world; we set forth the happiness of Christ service; we offer the living water to the wearied and heavy-laden sons of toil; but, to our dismay, how often we seem to speak to the winds. Our words are patiently heard on Sundays; our arguments are not refuted; but we see plainly in the week that men are not ‘striving’ to be saved. Then on Monday morning the devil comes, and offers his countless snares. Then comes the world, and holds out it illusive prizes: our hearers follow them greedily. They work hard for this world’s goods; they toil at Satan's bidding; but the one thing they need to do they won't - they will not ‘strive’ at all.

I am not writing from hearsay. I speak what I have seen. I write down the result of 37 years experience in the ministry. I have learned lessons about human nature during that period that I never knew before. I have seen how true are our Lord's words about the narrow road. I have discovered how few there are that ‘strive’ to be saved.

Seriousness about fleeting matters is common enough. Striving to be rich and prosperous in this world is not rare at all. Pains about money, and business, and politics; pains about trade, and science, and fine arts, and amusements; pains about rent, and wages, and labor, and land; pains about such matters I see in abundance both in the city and the country. But I see few who take pains about their souls. I see few anywhere who ‘strive’ to enter in through the narrow gate.

I am not surprised at all this. I read in the Bible that it is only what I am to expect. The parable of the great supper is an exact picture of things that I have seen with my own eyes ever since I became a minister (Luke 14:16). I find, as my Lord and Savior tells me, that ‘men make excuse’. One has his piece of land to see; another has his oxen to prove; a third has his family hindrances. But all this does not prevent my feeling deeply grieved for the souls of men. I grieve to think that they should have eternal life so close to them, and yet be lost because they will not ‘strive’ to enter in and be saved.

I do not know in what state of soul many of my readers may be. But I warn you to take heed that you do not perish forever because you did not ‘strive’. Do not suppose that it needs some great scarlet sin to bring you to the pit of destruction. You have only to sit still and do nothing, and you will find your self eventually in hell. Yes! Satan does not ask you to walk in the steps of Cain, and Pharaoh, and Ahab, and Belshazzar, and Judas Iscariot. There is a another road to hell that is guaranteed to get you there - the road of spiritual sluggishness, spiritual laziness, and spiritual sloth. Satan has no objection to you being known as a respectable member of the Christian Church. He will let you give your offerings; he will allow you to sit comfortably in church every Sunday that you live. He knows full well that so long as you do not ‘strive’, you must come in the end to the place where the destroying maggot never dies, and the fire is never quenched. Be careful that you do not come to this end. I repeat: ‘You have only to do nothing, and you will be lost’.

If you have been taught to ‘strive’ for your soul's well-being, I beg you never to suppose you can go too far. Never give way to the idea that you are too concerned about your spiritual condition, and that there is no need for so much carefulness. Rather, be convinced in your own mind that ‘in all labor there is profit’, and that no labor is so profitable as that bestowed on the soul. It is a maxim among good farmers that the more they do for the land the more the land does for them. I am sure it should be a maxim among Christians that the more they do for their Christianity, the more their Christianity will do for them.

Watch out for the slightest inclination to be careless about such things as reading the Bible, going to church, praying and taking the Lord's supper. Beware of shortening your prayers, your Bible reading, your private communion with God. Be careful that you do not give way to a thoughtless, lazy manner of using the weekly services of the church. Fight against any rising disposition to be sleepy, critical and fault-finding, while you listen to the preaching of the gospel. What ever you do for God, do it with all your heart, mind and strength. In other things be moderate, and dread running into extremes. In matters of the soul fear moderation just as you would fear the plague. Don't care what man may think of you. Let it be enough for you that your Master says, ‘Strive’.

[Emily Funkhouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid volume about doctrines that touch a believer’s life in daily practice. I appreciate Ryle’s balance of urgency and Biblical standard with gospel grace, and I respect what is clearly radically scriptural takes for his day and ours. I especially admired the emphasis on striving to live up to our privileges as heirs of God with Christ.

“No doubt there are plenty of sham conversions in such a day of religious excitement as this. But bad coin is no proof that there is no good money: nay, rather it is a sign that there is some money current which is valuable, and is worth imitation. Hypocrites and sham Christians are indirect evidence that there is such a thing as real grace among men. Let us search our own hearts then, and see how it is with ourselves. Once more let us ask, in the matter of conversion, 'How do we do?'”

“Let reality be one great mark of your approach to Christ, and there is everything to give you hope. Your repentance may be feeble, but let it be real; your faith may be weak, but let it be real; your desires after holiness may be mingled with much infirmity, but let them be real. Let there be nothing of reserve, of double-dealing, of part-acting, of dishonesty, of sham, of counter-feit, in your Christianity. Never be content to wear a cloak of religion. Be all that you profess. Though you may err, be real. Though you may stumble, be true. Keep this principle continually before your eyes, and it will be well with your soul throughout your journey from grace to glory.”

“Not a cup of cold water shall lose its reward. Not a word spoken in love shall ever be forgotten. The Holy Ghost inspired St Paul to tell the Hebrews of Noah’s faith, but not of his drunkenness,—of Rahab’s faith, but not of her lie. It is a blessed thing to be God’s wheat!”

“If you feel that you are a weak disciple, think not that weakness shuts you out from any of the privileges of which I have been speaking. Weak faith is true faith, and weak grace is true grace; and both are the gift of him who never gives in vain. Fear not, neither be discouraged. Doubt not, neither despair. Jesus will never ‘break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax’ (Isa. 42:3).”

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with a lot of great content... perhaps too much. I say that for two reasons: one, Ryle's way of writing is very repetitive and exhaustive with illustrations; this helps him cement his points, but for every person who's deeply assured and convicted by this style, I imagine there's a person who will be wishing Ryle did the same thing in half the page length. Matter of preference, I suppose; I experienced both ways of thinking while reading.

Two, Ryle promises to get into "what true, Biblical Christianity should look like" (I don't know if a later editor added that subtitle, but it's still implied with "Practical Religion). For the most part, he's doing that, but then there are times - especially in the last handful of chapters - where it feels less like that and more of just expositional sermons. Again, great content, but I wonder if some of the content would be better served in another book.

[Connor Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best work of practical theology I have ever read. Outstanding. I can’t think of another book I would have rather had when I started following Christ. Also, for anyone aspiring to grow as an evangelist, Ryle’s preaching is a masterclass in commending the gospel.
The only challenge for commending this book is its length. There is some repetition of content due to the fact that each chapter was originally a sermon, but not enough that it felt tedious at any point.
Wonderful.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this through a small guys study group. It was perfect for a setting like that, Ryle breaks each chapter/subject down to a few smaller sections.
His simple language is easily accessible without the need for modernization, writing to the layman and not the scholar. Very convicting throughout. Highly suggest.

[Dkovlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It gave practical ideas to the Christian on how to live life as a Christian. Christ is the example. The Bible is the guidebook.

It was written in 1878. It is still applicable today.
(For now and forever.)

[Kristin Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid, challenging, inspiring, comforting, encouging and thorough. This might be a must read for every Christian

[Chase Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

JC Ryle continues to be a favorite author, a trusted source for biblical interpretation, and a mentor to me and my family. His writing style is matter of fact and balances orthodoxy and orthopraxy in a commendable way! His gospel-centeredness and commitment to Christ alone reminds me every time I read his books of what he stood firmly on — the Rock of Christ. Ryle truly exemplifies practical religion in this book that has that title. I HIGHLY recommend this book and would encourage every believer in Christ to pick up and read this book. Bishop Ryle, although dead, still speaks through his abundant writing preserved and published by Banner of Truth. Praise the Lord for raising up men of faith willing to contend for the faith in every age.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryle pleads with readers to become true Christians, then encourages and guides them to put the Christian faith into practice. He gives biblical comfort for those who suffer in various ways and those who doubt their salvation. The book is longer than necessary, and repetitive at times.

Notes
Self-Exertion

Despondency and Feeble-mind and Much-afraid, in "Pilgrim's Progress," reached the celestial city as really and truly as Valiant-for-the-truth and Greatheart. But they certainly did not reach it with the same comfort, and did not do a tenth part of the same good in the world!

Authentic Religion
Test your faith
• Is your faith deep in your heart, directing your affections, will, choices, not only in your head or on your lips? (Acts 8:21; Rom 10:10)
• Do you see sin as abominable, deserving God's wrath? Are you committed to fight it until death?
• Do you sincerely love Christ? Do you see Him as redeemer, friend? Do you find confidence, comfort, life, peace in Him?
• Does your faith produce fruit (repentance, hope, love, humility, spirituality, kindness, self-denial, unselfishness, a forgiving spirit, moderation, truthfulness, hospitality, patience)?
• Do you delight in the public means of grace (public prayer, praise, preaching, Lord's Supper; private Bible reading, prayer)? Do you delight in the Lord's Day?

A Call to Prayer

The only way to be really happy, in such a world as this, is to be ever casting all our cares on God. It is the attempt to carry their own burdens that so often makes believers sad. If they will only tell their troubles to God He will enable them to bear them as easily as Samson did the gates of Gaza.

The Lord's Supper
Worthy communicants
• Repentance. Have truly repented of sins, hate them, sincerely purpose to lead a new life.
• Faith. Have true faith in God's mercy through Christ, trust Christ as only hope of salvation, with thankful remembrance of His death.
• Love. Have love for all people.

Such a man's repentance may be very imperfect. Never mind! Is it real? Does he truly repent at all?—His faith in Christ may be very weak. Never mind! Is it real? … His charity may be very defective in quantity and degree. Never mind! Is it genuine? The grand test of a man's Christianity is not the quantity of grace he has got, but whether he has any grace at all.

A sense of our own utter unworthiness is the best worthiness we can bring to the Communion rail. A deep feeling of our own entire indebtedness to Christ for all we have and hope for, is the best feeling we can bring with us. The people I now have in view ought to consider seriously whether the ground they have taken up is tenable, and whether they are not standing in their own light. If they are waiting till they feel in themselves perfect hearts, perfect motives, perfect feelings, perfect repentance, perfect love, perfect faith, they will wait for ever. … Nay, rather, the very thought that we feel literally worthy, is a symptom of secret self-righteousness, and proves us unfit for communion in God's sight. … sinners we shall be till we die; converted changed, renewed, sanctified, but sinners still. In short, no man is a really worthy communicant who does not deeply feel that he is a "miserable sinner."

Zeal
Think of Christ's zeal for you. Think of Him in Gethsemane and on Calvary. Think of His life, suffering, death. Think of all He has done for you. What are you doing for Him? Resolve to spend and be spent for Him.

Happiness
"The holiest men are always the happiest."

To increase happiness, work to grow in grace
• Search Scriptures more earnestly
• Pray more fervently
• Hate sin more
• Mortify self-will more
• Become more humble
• Seek more personal communion with Jesus
• Daily walk with God
• Keep conscience clear of even little sins
• Don't grieve the Spirit
• Lay more firm hold on great truths

To increase happiness, work to grow in gratitude
• Ask God to help you rejoice in Him (Phil 3:1)
• Develop deeper sense of your sinfulness, and be more grateful for God's grace
• Complain less and thank God more for many undeserved mercies

To increase happiness, find ways to glorify God and be useful to others. Be good and do good (Ps 119:68).

The World
Paul read and quoted heathen writers. He was acquainted with laws, customs, careers of those in world around them, and used them in his illustrations.

For activities that aren't inherently sinful, judge them by what they tend to involve, and the consequences they tend to lead to.

Occasional relaxation of body and mind is good for break from work and stress, especially for young. Physical exercise, including sports, is good for physical health. Mental exercise, such as playing games of skill, is good for mental health. Physical and mental exercise makes us more fit to do God's work. But such exercises must be moderate, not interfering with spiritual life.

The Best Friend
Jesus won't refuse anyone, no matter how sinful, from coming to Him for salvation (Jn 6:37).

Jesus is patient with us even when we sin repeatedly.

Jesus is pleased with even our poor service to Him (Ps 147:11; 149:4), as a parent is pleased with their child's efforts to speak and walk.

The Lord Jesus "makes no mistakes" in managing His friend's affairs. He orders all their concerns with perfect wisdom: all things happen to them at the right time, and in the right way. He gives them as much of sickness and as much of health, as much of poverty and as much of riches, as much of sorrow and as much of joy, as He sees their souls require. He leads them by the right way to bring them to the city that will be their eternal home. He mixes their bitterest cups like a wise physician, and takes care that they have not a drop too little or a drop too much. His people often misunderstand His dealings; they are silly enough to imagine that their course of life might have been better ordered: but in the resurrection-day they will thank God that not their will, but Christ's will was done.

Seek to have closer communion with Jesus each day (Phil 1:21).

Seek to glorify Jesus daily, and to avoid anything that would grieve Him. Don't be ashamed to confess Him before others. When tempted to sin, think, "Is this my kindness to my Friend?"

Sickness
Benefits of sickness
• It reminds us of our mortality; that earth isn't our eternal home.
• It helps us think seriously about God, our souls, afterlife.
• It softens our hearts and teaches wisdom. It shows how empty earthly things are.
• It humbles us.
• It tests our faith.

Heirs of God
Evidence of true faith
• Led by Spirit (Rom 8:14). Follow Spirit, not their own way. Led away from sin, self-righteousness, world to Christ, Bible, prayer, holiness. Sanctified. Sin is bitter, holiness sweet.
• Have feelings of adopted children toward Father (Rom 8:15). Delivered from cringing fear of God, feeling of guilt. No longer feel that there is great gulf between themselves and God. No longer feel that God is angry with them. Feel peace and confidence in God (Rom 3:26). Draw near to God with boldness, speak to Him with freedom. Some experience this relationship with God more strongly than others.
• Have witness of Spirit in their consciences (Rom 8:16). Feel guilt is gone, peace is restored. Have hope. Have "seal" and "deposit" of Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). Some experience this witness of Spirit more strongly than others. Even weakest believer wouldn't give up what little hope they have, or throw faith away and go back to the world, and this is evidence of witness of Spirit.
• Take part in Christ's suffering (Rom 8:17). Have trials from world, flesh, devil (Hebrews 12:6, 8; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12). Captain of their salvation was made "perfect through suffering," and so are they (Hebrews 2:10; 12:10).

If you doubt salvation, ask yourself Who made you hate sin, love Christ, desire holiness? Not nature or devil; this is evidence of God working in you.

Your best things are yet to come. You can easily bear suffering without complaining; your light affliction is only for a moment, not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).

"You have no need to envy the sinner and his prosperity. You are the truly rich."

Be happy and cheerful in Him. Indeed, why would you ever be sad if you are the King’s son? Why should men ever doubt, when they look at you, whether it is a pleasant thing to be one of God’s children?

The Great Separation
Don't doubt your salvation because your faith is small. Having any faith is a sign of God’s grace.

Don't doubt your salvation because of your sins. You wouldn't feel the weight of your sin unless God worked that in you. Jesus can wash away any sin.

[Caroline Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Above 5 stars! This is for sure one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is both very convicting and very encouraging at the same time, making one think a lot, but also come away feeling at peace. It is very helpful in making sense of what the Christian life is and should be.
It is long and takes time to read and think, and even pray about things in each chapter, but the actual way it is written is enjoyable and not difficult to read.

[Creed Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely in the top 10 of my books read this year. I love the title to the book because true and proper religion which is perfectly laid out by the author in this book is indeed very practical. I would highly recommend this book to new and seasoned Christians as well as skeptics of Christianity.

[David Sager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. The book is compilation of J.C. Ryle sermons on many topics from prayer, Bible reading, charity to sickness and eternity. It was like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. There is much for me to ponder. Great book to challenge your thinking and practice and very convicting

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a budding Christian, or already into a deep relationship with Christ, and still struggling to fight the good fight - This book has something for you. In simple language, JCR explains the attitude of God that you cannot miss!

[Mathew Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle is clear in his points and an easy read. This is an excellent set of papers covering various topics about being a Christian. As the title suggests, his application of points is very practical and beneficial to any believer.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does biblical faith look in everyday life? How should you think about spiritual disciplines? About eternity? What should be your attitude towards money, sickness, the church?

Ryle never disappoints. He teaches practical theology, useful for 21st century Christians.

[Lindsey Doolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tapered off in the home stretch, but the opening chapters are a must-read for all Christians. Ryle does an especially good job on the necessity of prayer and Bible reading.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

really a must read for Christians. Very appropriate, very convicting... will read again