I fear for myself

What are the dear things now? Gold, silver, precious stones, bank notes, mines, ships, lands, houses, horses, carriages, furniture, meat, drink, clothes and the like. These are the things that are thought valuable; these are the things that command a ready market. ; these are the things which can never get below a certain price. He that has much of these things is counted a wealthy man. Such is the world!

And what are the cheap things now? The knowledge of God, the free salvation of the Gospel, the favour of Christ, the grace of the Holy Ghost, the privilege of being God's son, the title to eternal life, the right to the tree of life, the reversion of a mansion in heaven, the promises of an incorruptible inheritance, the offer of a crown of glory that never fadeth away. These are the things that no man hardly cares for. They are offered to the sons of men without money and without price: they may be had for nothing, - freely and gratuitously. Whosoever will may take his portion. But, alas, there is no demand for things! They go a begging. They are scarcely looked at. They are offered in vain. Such is the world!

- Practical Religion by J.C Ryle pg 40.

Written more than a century ago, (first published in 1878) these words stand true until today. It is an apt description not merely of a trend but the nature of humanity itself. Such a description.. its a scary truth. The fact that man, who has been showered with the abundance of God's grace and mercy actually shows audacious contempt towards God by treating who He is and what He has done as cheap. I fear for myself. Thank God for these words penned, I have much soul searching and reflection to do.

True Hope In Life

The ancient christians made it a part of their religion to look for His return.

Backward, they looked to the cross and the atonement for sin, and rejoiced in Christ crucified.

Upward, they looked to Christ at the right hand of God, and rejoiced in Christ interceding.

Forward, they looked to the promised return of their Master, and rejoiced in the thought that they would see Him again.

And we ought to do the same.

- Practical Religion by J.C. Ryle pg 18

The above mentioned perception of life truly reflects the life of a wise christian. It is a reminder that looking to Christ is the only source to a strong and sustainable motivation. There are so many obstacles to put one down in the path of sanctification, in this life. Struggles, failures, disappointment, back stabbings, judgement, repeated failures - thats what really gets one down and dissipates whatever hope or trust which remains. A brother once shared a point which I treasured much - that he does not give up, because this life is not his own. How true.

Many a time, if not all the time, we lay down our arms and wave the white flag in the air because in our pride (which is pretty much invisible by then due to the deceit which sin brings) we look at ourselves and not to the throne of grace, at the throne of mercy, at our Master, our LORD Jesus Christ.