Hey Guys,
This week I decided to turn the third chapter of Thoughts for Young Men into bullet points to emphasize the main points.
Try to get a clear view of the evil of sin
Think what an awful change sin has worked on all of our natures
Think what it has cost Christ to make atonement for sin, and to provide a pardon and forgiveness for sinners
Think what sin has already done on the earth
Think of all the misery and sorrow that sin has caused, and is causing, to this day
Isn’t it amazing to think that, although sin has destroyed everyone who holds fast to it, it still woos us to believe that it is the source of pleasure. Sin rarely comes to us clothed in immorality or violence, but often comes offering peace or pleasure. In a culture that blames the circumstances, it is easy to blame all the wrongs on sinful surroundings. But how many people have been unjustly wronged by sin? The answer is NONE. When judgment comes, it will not be fair to blame anyone but yourself for your sin.
Seek to become acquainted with our Lord Jesus Christ
It is not the mere knowing of Christ’s name that I mean. It is the knowing of his mercy, grace, and power; the knowing of Him not only by the hearing of the ear, but also by the experience of your heart.
To live in Christ, to draw all from Christ, to do all in the strength of Christ, to be ever looking to Christ; this is the true secret to spiritual prosperity.
Never forget that nothing is so important as your soul.
No friend, no companion deserves your confidence, who makes light of your soul’s concerns. The man who hurts you, your property, your character only does you temporary harm. Your true enemy is the one who plots to damage your soul.
The day is fast coming when the soul will be the one thing men will think of, and the only question of importance will be this, “Is my soul lost or saved?”
Remember, it is possible to be a young man and yet to serve God
The path to heaven is always narrow, whether we be young or old. There are difficulties, but God will give you the grace to overcome them.
He never gave commands to man which He would not give man the power to perform.
Determine that, as long as you live, to make the Bible your guide and adviser.
Read it [the Bible] with the prayer that the Holy Spirit’s grace will help you understand.
Read it reverently, as the word of God, not of man, believing implicitly that what it approves is right, and what it condemns is wrong.
Read it regularly. This is the only way to become “mighty in the Scriptures.”
Along with all these points, JC Ryle insists on the importance of good friends. He says that a “Good education, early habits of morality, sermons, books, all, he [Satan] knows well will avail you little, if you will only cling to ungodly friends.” How easy it is to become like those we hang out with! It is far easier to become more like the world than to become more like Jesus Christ. “Depend on it, bad company in this life is the sure way to procure worse company in the life to come.”
This week, as we wrap up Thoughts For Young Men, try to apply a principle to your life. It will never do any good to just read his words; it takes effort to make them of any benefit to our souls.
In Christ,
Andrew
This week I decided to turn the third chapter of Thoughts for Young Men into bullet points to emphasize the main points.
Try to get a clear view of the evil of sin
Think what an awful change sin has worked on all of our natures
Think what it has cost Christ to make atonement for sin, and to provide a pardon and forgiveness for sinners
Think what sin has already done on the earth
Think of all the misery and sorrow that sin has caused, and is causing, to this day
Isn’t it amazing to think that, although sin has destroyed everyone who holds fast to it, it still woos us to believe that it is the source of pleasure. Sin rarely comes to us clothed in immorality or violence, but often comes offering peace or pleasure. In a culture that blames the circumstances, it is easy to blame all the wrongs on sinful surroundings. But how many people have been unjustly wronged by sin? The answer is NONE. When judgment comes, it will not be fair to blame anyone but yourself for your sin.
Seek to become acquainted with our Lord Jesus Christ
It is not the mere knowing of Christ’s name that I mean. It is the knowing of his mercy, grace, and power; the knowing of Him not only by the hearing of the ear, but also by the experience of your heart.
To live in Christ, to draw all from Christ, to do all in the strength of Christ, to be ever looking to Christ; this is the true secret to spiritual prosperity.
Never forget that nothing is so important as your soul.
No friend, no companion deserves your confidence, who makes light of your soul’s concerns. The man who hurts you, your property, your character only does you temporary harm. Your true enemy is the one who plots to damage your soul.
The day is fast coming when the soul will be the one thing men will think of, and the only question of importance will be this, “Is my soul lost or saved?”
Remember, it is possible to be a young man and yet to serve God
The path to heaven is always narrow, whether we be young or old. There are difficulties, but God will give you the grace to overcome them.
He never gave commands to man which He would not give man the power to perform.
Determine that, as long as you live, to make the Bible your guide and adviser.
Read it [the Bible] with the prayer that the Holy Spirit’s grace will help you understand.
Read it reverently, as the word of God, not of man, believing implicitly that what it approves is right, and what it condemns is wrong.
Read it regularly. This is the only way to become “mighty in the Scriptures.”
Along with all these points, JC Ryle insists on the importance of good friends. He says that a “Good education, early habits of morality, sermons, books, all, he [Satan] knows well will avail you little, if you will only cling to ungodly friends.” How easy it is to become like those we hang out with! It is far easier to become more like the world than to become more like Jesus Christ. “Depend on it, bad company in this life is the sure way to procure worse company in the life to come.”
This week, as we wrap up Thoughts For Young Men, try to apply a principle to your life. It will never do any good to just read his words; it takes effort to make them of any benefit to our souls.
In Christ,
Andrew
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