Heirs of God: from An Illustrated Summary of J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion

This is a chapter from J.C. Ryle's classic book Practical Religion.

HEIRS OF GOD

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:14-17

The people of whom Paul speaks in those verses are the richest people on earth. The inheritance of these people is the only inheritance really worth having. All others are unsatisfying and disappointing by comparison. They bring with them many cares. They cannot cure an aching heart, lighten a heavy conscience, or keep away family troubles. They cannot prevent sickness, separations, and death. But there is no disappointment among the heirs of God. Their inheritance is the only one that can be kept forever because it is eternal. It is also the only inheritance that is within everyone's reach. Most people cannot obtain riches and greatness, though they work hard for them all their lives. But glory, honor, and eternal life are offered to every person freely who is willing to accept them on God's terms.

If you wish to have a portion of this inheritance, you must become one of God's children on earth if you desire to have glory in heaven. None but true Christians are the children of God. None but the children of God are heirs of God.

1. The relation of all true Christians to God: They are "sons of God." To be servants, disciples, soldiers, and friends of God are all excellent titles, but to be sons and daughters of God is a step higher still. As Jesus said, "A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever" (John 8:35).  To be the child of wealthy and powerful parents is commonly reckoned a great temporal advantage and privilege. But to be a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords—to be a son or daughter of the High and Holy One who inhabits eternity—that is something far greater. Yet this is the exalted position of every true Christian.

How can sinful men and women like ourselves become sons and daughters of God? When do we enter into this glorious relationship? We were not born so when we came into this fallen world. No one has a natural right to look to God as his or her Father. The Book of Ephesians tells us plainly, "You were by nature children of wrath," just as all others are born (Ephesians 2:3). First John 3:10 states, "The children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God." Sin is hereditary and runs in the family of Adam. Grace is anything but hereditary, and holy men do not automatically have holy sons. How then and when does this mighty change come about?

We become sons and daughters of God when the Holy Spirit of God leads us to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, and not before. Galatians 3:26 says, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." What does the Gospel of John say? To as many as receive Christ, God gives the power and privilege to become children of God, specifically meaning "those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). Faith unites repentant sinners to the Son of God and makes them part of His forever family. The Bible also teaches that the children of God are chosen from eternity and predestined to adoption, but it is not until individuals are called in due time and believe that you and I can recognize they are sons and daughters of God. It is at that point when there is joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). 

Beware of the delusive notion that all men and women are alike children of God, whether they have faith in Christ or not. The sonship we have by creation belongs to stones, trees, animals, and even to the devil (Job 1:6), but it gives no one a title to heaven. God is full of love and compassion for all His creation, but He is also perfectly just and holy. That is why there is only one Mediator between God and man: the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). 

The Gospel sets an open door before every man and woman. Its promises are wide and full. Its invitations are earnest and tender. Its requirements are simple and clear: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). Proud and worldly people are fooling themselves if they think they can  refuse God's terms yet dare to consider God their Father in any familial sense. 

Ask yourself consciously in God's sight whether you have repented of your sins and believed in Christ. If you have not, see and feel your sins and flee to Christ for salvation. Confess them before Him and He will faithfully and justly forgive your your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). You will be pardoned by God the Father and "accepted in the Beloved," who is Christ (Ephesians 1:6). Be forever thankful, saying, "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). How wonderful that holy God should set His affections on sinful men and women and admit them into His family! The people who can rightfully call God their Father and Christ their elder Brother need never be ashamed.

2. The special evidences of sonship: True Christians are "led by the Spirit." They have "the Spirit of adoption." They have the "witness of the Spirit." They "suffer with Christ." Those are the marks, signs, and tokens by which the true sons and daughters of God may be known.

A. True Christians are "led by the Spirit." Romans 8:14 declares, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." They are all under the leading and teaching of the Almighty. No longer do they follow their own ways and desires. The divine Person of the Holy Spirit guides their hearts, lives, and affections towards increasing holiness.

They are led away from sin, away from self-righteousness and worldliness. Those whom God adopts He teaches and trains. He makes them weary of their own ways and long for inward peace.

They are led to Christ, who leads them to the Bible, prayer, and holiness. That is the beaten path along which the Spirit makes them travel. Those whom God adopts He always sanctifies. He makes sin very bitter to them and holiness very sweet. The sons of God are a people led by the Spirit of God. Their experience will tally wonderfully when they compare notes in heaven. This is one mark of sonship.

B. True Christians have "the Spirit of adoption." They have the feelings of adopted children towards their Father in heaven. We are told, "You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Romans 8:15). The sons of God are delivered from the slavish fear of God that sin produces in the unredeemed heart. They are redeemed from the same feeling of guilt that made Adam "hide himself in the trees of the Garden" and Cain "go out from the presence of the Lord" (Genesis 3:8; 4:16). They are no longer afraid of God's holiness, justice, and majesty. They no longer feel  the great barrier between themselves and God. Some of them have this feeling more vividly than others, but very few could be found who would not say that since they knew Christ, they have had very different feelings towards God than before. They feel as if something like the old Roman form of adoption had taken place between themselves and their Father in heaven, who said, "Will you be My son?" and heard in reply, "I will."

C. True Christians have "the witness of the Spirit." Romans 8:16 states, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." This lets them know deep down inside that there is a relationship between them and God. They know that for them old things are passed away and all things become new: guilt is gone, peace is restored, heaven's door is open, and hell's door is shut. It is a felt, positive, and reasonable hope. They have what Paul calls the seal, earnest, or down payment of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). This witness of the Spirit embedded in the conscience is another mark of sonship.

D. True Christians "suffer with Christ." A final comment from Romans 8 on sonship is this: If we are children of God, that means we are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:17). All children of God have a cross to carry. They have trials, troubles, and afflictions to go through for the Gospel's sake from the world, the flesh, and the devil. They have trials of feeling from relatives and friends: hard words, treatment, and judgment. They have trials in the matter of character: slander, misrepresentation, mockery, and insinuation of false motives. They often have to choose whether they will please others and lose glory or gain glory and offend others. They have trials from their own hearts, their own home-devil, who is their worst foe.

Suffering is part of belonging to the Lord's family. "Whom the Lord loves, He chastens.... If you are without chastening, then you are illegitimate and not sons" (Hebrews 12:6-8). "We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Suffering is a part of the process by which the children of God are sanctified. The Captain of their salvation was "made perfect through suffering," and so are they (Hebrews 2:10; 12:10). 

Beware of a sonship without evidences. When a person has no leading of the Spirit, no spirit of adoption to tell of, no internal witness of the Spirit, and no cross in his or her experience, is that person really a son or daughter of God? Dare not to say so. On the other hand, embrace what evidence there is. Who made you love Christ and hate sin? Who made you long and labor to be holy? Where did those feelings come from? Not from the natural man or woman's heart. Cheer up and take courage. Press forward. Ask, seek, knock. That is how you will see that you number among the sons and daughters of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The privileges of sonship: True Christians are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." The text from Romans 8 that heads this chapter summarizes, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Being heirs means that something is prepared for all true Christians that has yet to be revealed. They are "heirs of God." To be heirs of the rich on earth is something. How much more then is it to be children and heirs of the King of kings! They are "joint heirs with Christ." They shall share in His majesty and take part in His glory. They will be glorified together with Him. 

God takes care to provide for all His children. None  are disinherited. None will be cut off. Each shall stand in his place and have a portion in the day when the Lord brings many sons to glory. Who can tell the full nature of what Colossians 1:12 describes as "the inheritance of the saints in light"? Language falls short. It is a true saying of the apostle John: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Some of the truths we know from 1 Peter and the Book of Revelation are that there will be no corruption, no fading, no withering, no devil, no curse of sin, no sorrow, no tears, no sickness, and no death. What bliss! These are positive realities for the heirs of God to derive strength from now:

A. Is knowledge pleasant to you now? Is the little you know of God, Christ, and the Bible precious to your soul, and do you long for more? We shall have it perfectly in glory. As Paul writes, "Now I know in part, but then shall I know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Blessed be God, there will be no more disagreements among believers! All will at length see eye to eye. The former ignorance will have passed away. We shall marvel to find how childish and blind we have been.

B. Is holiness pleasant to you now? Do you long for entire conformity to Christ, to "be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1)? Is sin the burden and bitterness of your life? Take heart: "Christ gave Himself for the church," not only that He might sanctify it on earth, but also "that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Ephesians 5:27). Oh, the blessedness of an eternal goodbye to sin! No more tainting of our motives, thoughts, words, and actions.

C. Is rest pleasant to you now? Do you often feel "exhausted yet pursuing" (Judges 8:4)? Do you long for a world in which we need not always be watching and warring? We shall have it perfectly in glory, being assured that there remains a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). The daily, hourly conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil will come to an end. There shall be great calm and peace.

D. Is service pleasant to you now? Do you find it sweet to work for Christ, yet groan being burdened by a feeble body? The spirit is often willing, but the flesh is weak. Take comfort: you will be able to serve perfectly in glory and without weariness. Revelation 7:15 speaks of blissful service to God day and night before His throne.

E. Is satisfaction pleasant to you now? Do you find the world empty? Do you long for the filling up of every void place and gap in your heart and mind? You shall have it in heaven. No longer will you say with Solomon, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit!" (Ecclesiastes 1). Instead of saying, "I have seen a limit to all perfection" (Psalm 119:96), you will say to God with David, "I will see Your face in righteousness;  I will be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness" (Psalm 17:15).

F. Is communion with the saints pleasant to you now? Are you never so happy as when you are with what Psalm 16:3 well describes as the excellent of the earth? Are you ever so much at home as in their company? We will enjoy this happy communion forever in glory. Jesus tells us, "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness.... And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew 13:41; 24:31). Praise God, we shall see all the saints whom we have read about in the Bible and in whose steps we have tried to walk! We shall enjoy the company of apostles, prophets, patriarchs, martyrs, reformers, missionaries, ministers, and so many others of whom the world was not worthy. We shall see the faces of those we have known and loved in Christ on earth over whose departure we shed bitter tears. We shall see them more bright and glorious than they ever were before. Best of all, we shall see them without hurry and anxiety, not feeling that we only meet to part again. In the coming glory there is no death, parting, or farewell.

G. Is communion with Christ pleasant to you now? Do you find His name precious to you? Do you feel your heart burn within you at the thought of His sacrificial love for His people? You shall have perfect communion with Him in heaven. When He returns for us, "we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We shall be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43). These eyes of ours will see His beloved face, the hands and feet pierced with nails, and regal head that was crowned with thorns. Where He is, there the sons and daughters of God will be. When He comes, they will come with Him. When He sits down in His glory, they shall sit down by His side.

If you are one of those who are sons and heirs, you may well rejoice. You may well wait, like the boy Patience in The Pilgrim's Progress: your best things are yet to come. You may well bear crosses without complaining: your light affliction is but for a moment (2 Corinthians 4:17). The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is yet to be revealed (Romans 8:18). When Christ, who is our life, appears,  we also shall appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4). Honor Him now by implicit obedience to all His commands and hearty love for all His children. Labor to travel through this world like a child of God and heir to glory. Let others be able to trace a family likeness between you and the One who adopted you.

The Family of God: from An Illustrated Summary of J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion

This is a chapter from J.C. Ryle's classic book Practical Religion.

THE FAMILY OF GOD

"The whole family in heaven and earth." Ephesians 3:15

There lives not a man or woman who is not a member of some family. Family gatherings are natural, right and good. Next to the grace of God, I see no principle that unites people so much in this world as family feeling. Nevertheless, family gatherings are often sorrowful things that show gaps and vacant places. Changes and deaths make sad havoc as time goes on.

There is one family to which I want everyone reading this to belong. It is a family more important than any on earth. To belong to it entitles one to far greater privileges than being the son or daughter of the wealthiest and most prominent people imaginable. It is the family of God, which the apostle Paul describes above as "the whole family in heaven and earth."

1. What is God's family? This family consists of all true believers in God and Christ from every age, nation, and tongue. Other names of this family from the Bible and from creeds are the Body of Christ, the elect of God, the household of faith, the Israel of God, the Bride of Christ, the living temple, the holy Catholic [universal] Church. Membership into this family does not depend on any earthly connection. It comes not by natural birth, but by the new birth (John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:3; Ezekiel 36:25-27). Ministers cannot impart it to their hearers. Parents cannot give it to their children. Only the Holy Spirit can make you a living member of His family. Those who are born again are born "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Why does the Bible describe this company of all true Christians as a family?

A. True Christians are called family because they all have one Father. They are all children "of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). They are all "born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). This is what "the Lord Almighty" Himself says: "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18). Paul explains, "You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15). Christians do not regard God with slavish fear, as if He were an austere Being ready only to punish. They look up to Him with tender confidence as a reconciled and loving parent who forgave all their sins because of their faith in Jesus, and is full of pity for the feeblest among them. It is our Lord Jesus who taught us to pray, saying, "Our Father" first and foremost (Matthew 6:9-13). That is because true believers in Him instantly become part of God's family.

B. True Christians are called family because they all rejoice in one name. That name is the name of their great Head and Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as a common family name is the uniting link to all the members of a Scottish Highland clan, so does the name of Jesus tie all believers together in one vast family. As members of outward visible churches, they have various names, but as living members of Christ, they all with one heart and mind rejoice in one Savior. Every one of them feels drawn to Jesus as the only object of hope. All freely confess that Christ is all in all in His death on the cross for them; His triumphant resurrection, ascension, and daily intercession for them; and His coming again to unite them to Himself in one glorified company forever. You might as well take away the sun from the sky as take away the name of Christ from believers. No wonder they are called a family.

C. True Christians are called family because there is a strong family likeness among them. They are all led by one Spirit and are marked by the same general features of life, heart, taste, and character. All true sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty hate sin and love God, resting their hope of salvation on Christ and having no confidence in themselves. They all endeavor to separate from the ways of the world and set their affections on things above. They all turn naturally to the same Bible as the only food for the souls and only sure guide in their pilgrimage toward heaven as a lamp for their feet and a light to their path (Psalm 119:105). They all go to the same "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16) in prayer, finding it as needful and natural to speak to God as to breathe. They all live by the same rule, the Word of God, striving to conform their daily lives to its precepts. They all have the same inward experience of repentance, faith, hope, love, humility, and spiritual discipline. No wonder they are called a family.

The family likeness among true believers deserves special attention as one of the strongest indirect evidences of the truth of Christianity. It is one of the greatest proofs of  the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself, Jesus said, is like the wind (John 3:8) in that He is invisible, but His effects are not, ranging from a gentle breeze to a mighty hurricane. Among true Christians around the world, some are highly educated and some unable to read; some are rich and some poor; some are old and some young; some attend formal churches and some informal. Notwithstanding, there is a marvelous oneness of heart and character among them all: their joys and sorrows, loves and hatreds, likes and dislikes, hopes and fears are very much the same. The Englishman will find he has more in common with an African brother in Christ than with non-Christian family members and school fellows. The same Spirit inhabits and guides each member of the forever family of God.

2. What is the present position of God's family? The family of God is currently in two places: part of the family is in heaven and part is on earth, but they form one Body in God's sight. Their union is sure to take place in the future.

Two places, and two only, contain the family of God. There is no third habitation, such as purgatory, which is not a biblical concept. There is no house of purifying, training, or probation for those who are not true Christians when they die. 

A. Some of God's family are safe in heaven. They are in a joyful, active state of rest in the place Jesus referred to as Paradise (Luke 23:43). They have finished their course on earth, having fought their battles and completed their appointed work. They learned their lessons and carried their crosses. They passed through the waves of this troubled world and reached the safe harbor. Little as we know of what their lives are like in detail, we do know they are happy, no longer troubled by sin and temptation, poverty and anxiety, pain and sickness, sorrow and tears. They are with Christ Himself, who loved them and gave Himself for them. Being with Him is "far better" than anything we can imagine or experience here (Philippians 1:23). They have nothing to fear when looking back and nothing to dread when looking forward. Three things only are lacking to make their happiness complete: the second coming of Christ in glory, the resurrection of their own bodies, and the gathering together of all believers. And of those things they are sure.

B. Some of God's family are still upon earth. They are scattered to and fro in the midst of a wicked world. All are more or less occupied in the same way, according to the gifts of God's grace (Romans 12:3-8). All are running a race, doing a work, engaging in spiritual warfare, carrying a cross, striving against sin, resisting the devil, crucifying the flesh, struggling against the world, witnessing for Christ, hearing the Word of God, reading, and praying—however feebly—for the nourishment of their souls. Each and all stay on their path, a wonder to the ignorant world around them and often a wonder to themselves.

However divided God's family may be now in location, it is still one family. Both parts, in heaven and on earth, are one in character, possessions, and relation to God. The part in heaven has not so much superiority over the part on earth as at first sight may appear. The difference between the two is only of degree.

(1) Both parts of the family love our Savior and delight in God's will. The part on earth loves with much imperfection and infirmity, living by faith not sight. The part in heaven loves without weakness, doubt, or distraction. It walks by sight, not faith, and sees what it once believed.

(2) Both parts of the family are saints. The saints on earth are often poor, weary pilgrims who find their flesh lusting against their spirit and the spirit lusting against the flesh, so they do not do the things they wish they would (Galatians 5:17). They live in the midst of an evil world and are often sick of themselves and the sin they see all around them. The saints in heaven, on the contrary, are delivered from the world, the flesh, and the devil, enjoying a glorious liberty. They are called "the spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23).

(3) Both parts of the family are God's children. But the children in heaven have all learned their lessons, finished their appointed tasks, and have begun an eternal holiday. The children on earth are still at school. They are daily learning wisdom, though slowly and with much trouble, often needing to be reminded of their past lessons with disciplinary actions. Their holiday is yet to come.

(4) Both parts of the family are God's soldiers. The soldiers on earth are still on duty. Their fight is not yet over, which is why they need every day to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18). The soldiers in heaven are all triumphant. No enemy can hurt them now. No fiery dart can reach them. Helmet and shield may be laid aside. No longer do they need to watch and stand on guard.

(5) Both parts of the family are secure. Both are secured by "an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and secure" (2 Samuel 23:5). The members on earth, through the burden of the flesh and the dimness of their faith, may neither see nor feel their own safety. But they are safe. The whole family is "kept by the power of God through faith for salvation" (1 Peter 1:5). The family members yet on the road are as secure as those already home. Not one shall be found missing at the last day.

Learn not to measure the numbers or privileges of God's family by what you see with your eyes. You see only a small body of believers in this present time. Do not forget that a great company has got safe to heaven already, and that when all are assembled at the last day they will be a multitude no one can number (Revelation 7:9). You currently see only the part of the family that is struggling on earth. The family of God is far more rich and glorious that you can even imagine. It is no small thing to belong to the "whole family in heaven and on earth" (Ephesians 3:15).

3. What are the future prospects of God's family? They are good and happy!

A. The members of God's family shall all be brought safe home. Here on earth they may be scattered, tried, and bowed down with afflictions, but to quote the Lord Jesus, "they shall never perish" (John 10:28). The weakest lamb shall not be left to perish in the wilderness.

B. The members of God's family shall all have glorious bodies. When Jesus comes the second time, the dead saints shall all be raised and the living shall all be changed. They shall no longer have a mortal body, full of weaknesses and infirmities; they shall have a body like that of their risen Lord, without the slightest liability to sickness and pain. Nothing will hinder them in their desire to serve God night and day without weariness or distraction. The former things will have passed away and this divine saying will then come true: "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

C. The members of God's family shall all be gathered into one company. It does not matter where and when they have lived and died. All shall be gathered together from north, south, east, and west to meet in one happy assembly, and never to be parted from our Lord and each other again.

D. The members of God's family shall all be united in mind and judgment. They are not so now about many little issues. About the things needful to salvation there is a marvelous unity among them. One day partial knowledge and dim vision shall be at an end forever (1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

E. The members of God's family shall all be perfected in holiness. They are not literally perfect now, although complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). Though born again and renewed after the image of Christ, they offend and fall short in many things (James 3:2). No one knows that better than they do, but one day they will be presented by their Head "without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing" (Ephesians 5:27), "fair as the moon, clear as the sun" (Song of Solomon 6:10). Those are word pictures representing perfect holiness. Grace even now is a beautiful thing when it lives, shines, and flourishes in the midst of imperfection. How much more beautiful will it appear pure and unmixed when Christ comes to be glorified in His saints at the last day!

F. The members of God's family shall all be eternally provided for. When the affairs of this sinful world are finally settled, there shall be an everlasting portion for all the sons and daughters of the Lord almighty. The smallest vessel of grace, as well as the greatest, shall be filled to the brim with glory. The precise nature of that reward is beyond what eye has seen or hear has heard (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is enough for us to know we will be satisfied when we see our Savior face to face, reflecting His likeness (Psalm 17:15). The inheritance reserved for us when we come of age is incorruptible, undefiled, and does not fade away ( 1 Peter 1:4). 

These prospects of God's family are great realities. They are not vague, shadowy talk of human invention. These are real, true things that will be seen before long. They deserve your serious consideration. Examine them well. Do you yet belong to the family of God? Do not miss the priceless opportunity set before you. If you indeed belong to the whole family in heaven and earth, count your privileges and learn to be more thankful. Think what a mercy it is to have something the world can neither give nor take away. Living by the grace of God, we shall make "our calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:3-15), both to ourselves and others, inclining them by God's grace to say, "We will go with you."

Formalism: from An Illustrated Summary of J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion

This is a chapter from J.C. Ryle's classic book Practical Religion.

FORMALISM

"Having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:5

"He is not a Jew who is one outwardly ... but he is a Jew who is one inwardly ... of the heart, in the spirit ... whose praise is not from men but from God." Romans 2:28-29

Let us try to discover whether our Christianity is a thing of mere form or of heart and mind. I know of no better way of unfolding the subject than by turning to the Pauline passage in Romans 2 above: "He is not a Jew who is one outwardly nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter;  whose praise is not from men but from God." Three instructive lessons stand out: 1. Formal (merely outward) religion is not true religion, and a formal Christian is not a true Christian in God's sight. 2. The heart is the seat of true religion, and the true Christian is the Christian in heart. 3. True religion must never expect to be popular. It will not have the praise of men, but of God.

1. Formal (merely outward) religion is not true religion, and a formal Christian is not a true Christian in God's sight. What is formal religion? When a man or woman is a Christian in name only and not in reality: in profession only, not practice; in outward things only, not inward convictions and feelings. He or she possesses only the form, husk, or skin of religion,  not its substance and power. 

These are the kinds of people who participate in religious services, but know nothing of experimental Christianity. They are not familiar with the Scriptures and take no delight in reading them. They do not separate themselves from the ways of the world. They draw no distinction between godliness and ungodliness in their friendships and marriages. They care little or nothing about the distinctive doctrines of the Gospel. They appear indifferent to what they hear preached. You may be in their company regularly and see nothing to separate them from agnostics and atheists. Their religion is an empty form.

Look in another direction at people whose whole religion seems to consist in talk. They know the theory of the Gospel and profess to delight in their doctrinal positions; they say much about the soundness of their own views and the darkness of all who disagree with them. But when you examine their inner lives, you find they know nothing of practical godliness. They are neither truthful, loving, humble, kind, gentle, or honorable. Their religion is likewise an empty form.

One of the wickedest things Machiavelli said is that the appearance of religion is useful, but the reality and practice of it is cumbersome. Such a notion is of the earth or deeper still: it smells of the pit. Hear what Paul says to the Romans: "He is not a Jew who is one outwardly nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh" (Romans 2:28). Those are strong words! Paul is saying a man might be a son of Abraham according to the flesh, circumcised the eighth day of his birth, a regular worshiper in the temple, yet in God's sight not be a Jew. Just so a man may be a baptized member of a Christian church who participates in its services and ceremonies, yet in God's sight not be a Christian.

Hear what the prophet Isaiah writes from the Lord: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams.... I do not delight in the blood of bulls.... Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me.... Your new moons, sabbaths, and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:10-15). Keep in mind that those sacrifices, sabbaths, festivals, and the incense were appointed by God Himself! He pronounces His own institutions to be useless when they are used formally and without heart by the worshiper. In fact, they are worse then useless: they are offensive and hurtful. Formal religion is worthless in God's sight. It is not worth calling religion at all.

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:7-9; Isaiah 29:13). We see Him repeatedly denouncing the formalism and hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Eight times in one chapter (Matthew 23) He says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" For many kinds of sinners Jesus had a word of kindness and held out to them an open door for repentant hearts, but He wants us to know that unrepentant formalists must be exposed in severe terms.

A. Formalism is common. It is one of the great family diseases of the whole race of mankind. It is born with us, grows with us, and is never completely cast out of us in this life. It meets us in church and out, among rich and poor, among the highly educated and minimally educated, among Roman Catholics and Protestants, among Evangelicals and any other Christian grouping you can think of. If you think there is no formal religion in your own camp, you are unobservant. If you love life, beware of formalism.

B. Formalism is dangerous. Familiarity with the form of religion while neglecting its reality has a fearfully deadening effect on one's soul and conscience. It builds up a thick crust of insensibility over the whole inner person. None seem to become so desperately hard as those who are continually repeating holy words and handling holy matters while their hearts are running after sin and the world. They are gradually hardening their hearts and searing the skin of their consciences. If you love your own soul, beware of formalism.

C. Formalism is foolish. Can formalists really suppose the outward Christianity they profess will comfort them in the day of sickness and the hour of death? A painted fire cannot warm, a painted banquet cannot satisfy hunger, and a formal religion cannot bring peace to the soul. Do they really think God does not see the heartlessness and deadness of their Christianity? Although they may deceive acquaintances, fellow worshipers, and ministers with a form of godliness, do they think they can deceive God? "He who formed the eye, shall He not see?" (Psalm 94:9). God knows the very secrets of the heart and "will judge the secrets of men" at the last day (Romans 2:16). The risen, ascended Christ, who said to each of the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, "I know your works" (Revelation 2-3) has not changed. He who said, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?" (Matthew 22:12) will not be deceived by a little cloak of outward religion. If you would not be put to shame at the last day, once more I say to beware of formalism.

2. The heart is the seat of true religion, and the true Christian is the Christian in heart. The heart is the real test of a man's character. It is not what he says or does by which he may always be known. He may say and do right things from false and unworthy motives reflecting his heart. As a man "thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Man "looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). This is what Paul lays down distinctly as the standard measure of the soul: "He is a Jew who is one inwardly ... and circumcision is that of the heart" (Romans 2:28-29). Who can doubt that this mighty sentence was written for Christians as well as for Jews? He is a Christian, the apostle would have us know, who is one inwardly, and baptism is that of the heart.

The heart is where saving religion must begin. It is naturally irreligious, which is why the promise of the New Covenant is this: "A new heart I will give you.... I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26-27). "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). We read that the Lord "opened" the heart of Lydia to believe what Paul was telling her about Christ (Acts 16:14).

The heart is the seat of true saving faith. "With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). A man may believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world, as the devils do, yet remain in his sins. He may believe he is a sinner and even be convinced that Jesus is the only Savior, feeling occasional lazy wishes that he were a better man. But no one ever lays hold of Christ and receives pardon and peace until he or she believes with the heart. It is heart faith that justifies.

The heart is the spring of true holiness and steady continuance in doing good. True Christians are holy because their hearts are interested. They obey from the heart. They do the will of God from the heart. Weak, feeble, and imperfect as all their doings are, they please God because they are done from a loving heart. He who commended the widow's small coins more than all the offerings of the wealthy regards quality far more than quantity (Mark 12:41-44). He likes to see things done with "an honest and good heart" (Luke 8:15). There is no real holiness without a right heart.

Paul teaches us about this matter in 3 parallel texts: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but ... faith working through love (Galatians 5:6) ... a new creation (Galatians 6:15) ... [and] keeping the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Corinthians 7:19). True religion consists of far more than circumcision or any other external form, but of being born again to obey God's Word from the heart.

A. When the heart is wrong, all is wrong in God's sight. The ark was the most sacred thing in the Jewish tabernacle. On it was the mercy seat. Within it were the tablets of God's Law, written by God's own finger. The high priest alone was allowed to go into the place where the ark was kept, behind a veil, but only once a year. The presence of the ark within the camp was thought to bring a special blessing. And yet this very ark could do the Israelites no more good than any common wooden box when they treated it like an idol, their hearts full of wickedness. They said, "Let us bring the ark that it may save us from the hand of our enemies" (1 Samuel 4:3). When it was brought into the camp, they shouted with joy to show it reverence and honor, but it was all in vain. God allowed the Philistines to defeat them and take away the ark. Why? They honored the ark, but did not give the God of the ark their hearts.

There were kings of Judah and Israel who did many things that were right, yet were never written in the list of godly rulers. Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, for 3 years walked in the ways of David and Solomon (2 Chronicles 11:17), but afterwards "he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 12:14). Abijam of Judah said many things that were right and fought successfully against wicked King Jeroboam of Israel, but the general verdict is against him because "his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David" (1 Kings 15:3). Amaziah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart" (2 Chronicles 25:2). Jehu, king of Israel, was raised up by God's command to put down idolatry. He was a man of special zeal in doing that work, but unhappily it is written of Jehu, "He took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin" (2 Kings 10:31). One general remark applies to all those kings: they were all wrong inwardly, rotten at heart.

There are many fair places of worship in the world, but God sees nothing with an eye of favor in such buildings, services, ministers, or people if He does not see converted, renewed, broken, penitent hearts. Bowed heads, bended knees, and loud amens are nothing in God's sight without right hearts.

B. When the heart is right, God can look over many things that are defective. There may be faults in judgment and infirmities in practice. There may be many deviations from the best course in the outward things of religion, but if the heart is sound in the main, God is not extreme to mark that which is amiss. He is merciful and gracious, pardoning much that is imperfect when He sees a true heart and a single eye.

Jehoshaphat and Asa were kings of Judah who were defective in many things. Jehoshaphat was a timid, irresolute man who did not know how to say no, even to making an alliance with Ahab, Israel's wickedest king. Asa was an unstable man who at one time trusted in the king of Syria more than in God, and punished a prophet who rightly rebuked him. Yet both of them had one great redeeming point in their characters: with all their faults, they had right hearts (2 Chronicles 22:9, 2 Chronicles 15:17).

The long-neglected Passover feast, which the good King Hezekiah sought to restore, was quite irregular. The proper forms were not observed by many. They ate the Passover "otherwise than as prescribed," but with true and honest hearts. Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God ... even though not according to the sanctuary's rules." We are told that God honored his prayer (2 Chronicles 30:18-20). The Passover feast kept by King Josiah years later must have been far smaller and worse attended than Hezekiah's, not to mention the glory years under David and Solomon, but notice what we are told about it: "There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet, and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept" (2 Chronicles 35:18). There is but one explanation. The Lord does not look at the quantity of worshipers so much as the quality. The glory of Josiah's Passover was the state of the people's hearts.

There are many assemblies of Christian worshipers today that meet in humble buildings, sing unmusically, pray meekly, and hear the Word of God proclaimed plainly, yet the Holy Spirit is in the midst of them. Sinners are often converted in them and the Kingdom of God prospers far more than in any gorgeous cathedral or church. This applies to any assembly where heart religion is taught and lived out. The consequence is that God is pleased and grants His blessing.

One word of caution before moving to my last point: do not suppose that because formal religion will not save that all forms of religion are of no use. The misuse of a thing is no argument against the right use of it. Use the forms of Christianity diligently and you will find them a blessing, but remember that the state of your heart comes first.

3. True religion must never expect to be popular. It will not have the praise of men, but of God. As eager as I am to commend heart religion, I will not try to conceal what it entails. Remember, Paul said at the beginning of this chapter that praise of heart religion comes "not from men, but from God" (Romans 2:28-29). God's truth and biblical Christianity have never been popular and never will be as long as the world stands. No one can rationally consider what human nature is as described in the Bible and reasonably expect anything else.

Atheism and rank unbelief, as a general rule, are never very popular, but a religion that does not require much or trouble a man and woman's heart and lifestyle is what many people crave. Formal religion gratifies the secret self-righteousness within. We are all of us more or less Pharisees. Formal religion also pleases the natural laziness of man. It attaches an excessive importance to the easiest part of religion, the mere externals. Formalism seems to open a wider gate and a more easy way to heaven.

But facts are stubborn things. Look over the history of religion in every age of the world and observe what has always been popular. Formalism was one main sin against which the Old Testament prophets were continually protesting. Formalism was the great plague that characterized the Jewish religion when our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world. Formalism ate out the life and vitality of the early church. In the Middle Ages formalism so completely covered the face of Christendom that the Gospel lay as one dead. Look at the history of churches in the last several centuries. How few are the places where the Christian religion is a living thing! Formal religion continues to be popular. It has the praise of men.

John tells us this about false religious teachers: "They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them" (1 John 4:5). Only say your prayers, go to church with tolerable regularity, and receive the Lord's Supper occasionally, and the vast majority of religious people will set you down as an excellent Christian. "What more would you have?" they say. "If that is not Christianity, what is?" To require more of anyone is thought bigotry, intolerant, and fanatical. To insinuate a doubt whether a person like this will go to heaven is called uncharitable. Formal religion will always be popular until Christ returns.

Turn now to the religion of the heart, and you will hear a very different report. As a general rule it has never had the good word of mankind, but instead laughter, mockery, ridicule, scorn, contempt, enmity, hatred, slander, persecution, imprisonment, and even death. Its lovers have been faithful and ardent, but they have always been few.

A. Heart religion is too humbling to be popular. It leaves no room for boasting. It tells men and women that they are guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners who must flee to Christ alone for salvation. It tells them they are spiritually dead and must be made alive again, born of the Spirit. The pride of mankind rebels against this. People hate to be told their case is so bad.

B. Heart religion is too holy to be popular. It interferes with their worldliness and sin. It requires things their fallen nature hates: conversion, faith, repentance, spiritual-mindedness, Bible reading, and prayer. It bids them to give up many things they love and cling to, and cannot make up their minds to lay aside. It seems to them a killjoy.

Was heart religion popular in Old Testament times? We read poor David moaning, "Those who sit in the gate speak against me, and I am the song of drunkards" (Psalm 69:12). We find the prophets persecuted and ill treated because they preached against sin and called people to give their hearts to God. Elijah, Micaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos are all cases in point. The people never seem to have objected to formalism and ceremonialism, but they often displayed their unwillingness to serve God from the heart.

Was heart religion popular in New Testament times? The scribes and Pharisees would have willingly received a Messiah who encouraged formalism and exalted ceremonialism, but they could not tolerate a religion with the first principles of humiliation and sanctification of heart.

What matters, however, is that God approves and honors heart religion, He looks down from heaven and reads the hearts of all. God is well pleased whenever He sees repentance from sin, faith in Christ, holiness of life, and love for His Son, Word and will. He writes a book of remembrance for His faithful people, and gives His angels special charge over them. He gives them daily supplies of peace, hope, and strength. One day all who have served Christ from the heart will hear Him say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. You were faithful over a few things; I will make you rulers over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord! You confessed Me before others, and I will confess you before My Father and His holy angels" (Matthew 25:21-34; Luke 12:8).

Those words will not be addressed to the formalists, the hypocrites, the wicked, and the ungodly. They indeed will stand by and see the fruits of heart religion, but will not eat them. Only then shall we fully understand how much better it is to have the praise of God than the praise of man. In the meantime, "We must through many tribulations enter the the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), and "all who determine to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). If the world hates you, God will love you. If the world forsakes you, Christ has promised He will never forsake or fail you. Whatever you may lose by your heart religion, be sure that the praise of God will make up for all.

I close with applications for 3 groups of readers: In the first place, is your religion a matter of form and not of heart? Answer this question honestly and in the sight of God. If it is, consider solemnly the immense danger in which you stand. You have nothing to comfort your soul in the day of trial, nothing to save you at the last day. Like base metal, formal religion will not stand the fire. I earnestly beseech you to open your eyes and repent.

In the second place, if you heart condemns you and you want to know what to do, consider seriously the only course you can safely take. Go to the Lord Jesus Christ without delay and spread before Him the state of your soul. Confess before Him your formalism in times past and ask Him to forgive it. Seek from Him the promised grace of the Holy Spirit and ask Him renew your inner self. Know that the Lord Jesus is appointed and commissioned to be the Physician of each person's soul. There is no case too hard for Him. Seared and hardened as the heart of a formalist may be, healing is available: "Ask and it shall be give you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you" (Luke 11:9).

In the last place, if your heart does not condemn you and you have well-grounded confidence in your Christian faith by God's grace, consider seriously the many responsibilities of your position. Praise God daily for calling you out of darkness into light and making you different. Have pity for those still in darkness and pray for them. Watch your heart and be on guard against formalism in your Bible reading and prayer, your temper and your tongue, your family, work, and church life. Look forward to the return of our Lord. Your best things are yet to come. One thing His return will make abundantly clear: there never was an hour in our lives when we gave our hearts too thoroughly to Christ.