110+ J. C. Ryle Quotes On Prayer, Death And Bible

J. C. Ryle was the first Bishop of Liverpool, appointed in 1880. He was a prominent figure in the Church of England, and was known for his strong evangelical views. He wrote many books, including the classic Christian work, Holiness. Following is our collection on famous quotes by J. C. Ryle on prayer, death, bible.

Top 10 J. C. Ryle Quotes

1. True Christianity is not merely believing a certain set of dry abstract propositions: it is to live in daily personal communication with an actual living person - Jesus Christ.
2. Never does a person see any beauty in Christ as a Savior, until they discover that they are a lost and ruined sinner.
3. If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him.
4. A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing. A cheap Christianity, without a cross, will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.
5. Backsliding, generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.
6. No time is so well spent in every day as that which we spend upon our knees.
7. According to the men of the world, few are going to hell; According to the Bible, few are going to heaven.
8. Wealth is no mark of God’s favor. Poverty is no mark of God’s displeasure.
9. It costs something to be a true Christian. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousn ess, our ease and our worldliness.
10. Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.

J. C. Ryle Short Quotes

• It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives and friends. But it is impossible to deceive Christ.
• There will be no universal peace until the Prince of Peace appears.
• The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures, because they tell him about his beloved Savior.
• If you want to find out how much someone loves you, find out how much they pray for you.
• Your trials, crosses, and conflicts are all temporary.
• Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace.
• However corrupt our hearts, and however wicked our past lives, there is hope for us in the Gospel.
• Let us beware of repentance without evidence.
• Sin forsaken is one of the best evidences of sin forgiven.
• If you profess to be a child of God, leave it to the Lord Jesus to sanctify you in His own way.

J. C. Ryle Quotes About Prayer

The 'means of grace' are such as Bible reading, private prayer, and regularly worshiping God in Church, wherein one hears the Word taught and participates in the Lord's Supper. — J. C. Ryle

Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not breathe is past my comprehension, and how a person can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too. — J. C. Ryle

To be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope, and without heaven. — J. C. Ryle

Prayer needs neither learning, wisdom or book knowledge to begin it. It needs nothing but heart and will. — J. C. Ryle

What is the cause of most backslidings? I believe, as a general rule, one of the chief causes is neglect of private prayer. — J. C. Ryle

Oh, dear friend, if you love your children, I charge you, do not let the early impression of a habit of prayer slip by. If you train your children to do anything, train them, at least, to have a habit of prayer. — J. C. Ryle

It is not always those who have the most eminent gifts who are the most successful laborers for God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ and are most constant in prayer. — J. C. Ryle

Let us resolve by God's grace, that however poor and feeble our prayers may seem to be, we will pray on. — J. C. Ryle

No prayers can be heard which do not come from a forgiving heart. — J. C. Ryle

I should as soon expect a farmer to prosper in business who contented himself with sowing his fields and never looking at them till harvest, as expect a believer to attain much holiness who was not diligent about his Bible reading, his prayers, and the use of his Sundays. — J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle Quotes About Bible

It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. — J. C. Ryle

We must read our Bibles like men digging for hidden treasure. — J. C. Ryle

Trials are intended to make us think, to wean us from the world, to send us to the Bible, to drive us to our knees. — J. C. Ryle

Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book. — J. C. Ryle

Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible-reading. — J. C. Ryle

What is the best safeguard against false doctrine? The Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied. — J. C. Ryle

The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home. — J. C. Ryle

Of all the doctrines of the Bible none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God's sovereignty. — J. C. Ryle

A Bible reading laity is a nation's surest defence against error. — J. C. Ryle

Let us seek friends that will stir up our prayers, our Bible reading, our use of time, and our salvation. — J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle Quotes About Holiness

The first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin. — J. C. Ryle

The fear of punishment, the desire of reward, the sense of duty, are all useful arguments, in their way, to persuade people to holiness. But they are all weak and powerless, until a person loves Christ. — J. C. Ryle

A trial is an instrument by which our Father in heaven makes Christians more holy. — J. C. Ryle

Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. — J. C. Ryle

I declare I know no state of soul more dangerous than to imagine we are born again and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, because we have picked up a few religious feelings. — J. C. Ryle

People may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a holy life. — J. C. Ryle

There is something sadly wrong when it is more important to us whether others are a part of our denomination, rather than whether they repent of sin, believe on Christ and live holy lives. — J. C. Ryle

My chief desire in all my writings, is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him beautiful and glorious in the eyes of people; and to promote the increase of repentance, faith, and holiness upon earth. — J. C. Ryle

Doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does positive harm. Something of 'the image of Christ' must be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings. — J. C. Ryle

We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. — J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle Quotes About Faith

True Christian is not an angel; he is not a halfangelic being, in whom is no weakness, or blemish, or infirmity: he is nothing of the kind. He is nothing more than a sinner who has found out his sinfulness, and has learned the blessed secret of living by faith in Christ. — J. C. Ryle

Faith in the Lord Jesus is the only sure medicine for troubled hearts. — J. C. Ryle

No one ever reached heaven without repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. — J. C. Ryle

Obedience is the only reality. It is faith visible, faith acting, and faith manifest. It is the test of real discipleship among the Lord's people. — J. C. Ryle

The heart of a man can never be satisfied with the things of this world. It is always empty, and hungry, and thirsty, and dissatisfied, till it comes to Christ. It is only they who hear Christ's voice, and follow Him, and feed on Him by faith, who are 'filled.'. — J. C. Ryle

He does not regard the quantity of faith, but the quality. He does not measure its degree, but its truth. He will not break any bruised reed, nor quench any smoking flax. He will never let it be said that any perished at the foot of the cross. — J. C. Ryle

Troublous times, departures from the faith, evil men waxing worse and worse, love waxing cold, are things distinctly predicted. — J. C. Ryle

True faith will always show itself by its fruits . . . I suspect that, with rare exceptions, men die just as they have lived. — J. C. Ryle

Churches may decay and perish; riches may make themselves wings and fly away-but he who builds their happiness on Christ crucified and union with Him by faith, that person is standing on a foundation which shall never be moved, and will know something of true peace. — J. C. Ryle

Doubting does not prove that a man has no faith, but only that his faith is small. And even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us. — J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle Quotes About Inspiring

Men fall in private long before they fall in public. — J. C. Ryle

The world's idea of greatness is to rule, but Christian greatness consists in serving. — J. C. Ryle

We corrupt the Word of God most dangerously, when we throw any doubt on the plenary inspiration of any part of Holy Scripture. — J. C. Ryle

Nothing is so fickle and uncertain as popularity. It is here today and gone tomorrow. It is a sandy foundation, and sure to fail those who build upon it. — J. C. Ryle

Two-thirds of all the strifes, quarrels, and lawsuits in the world arise from one simple cause-money. — J. C. Ryle

No one ever said at the end of his days; 'I have read my bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too careful with my soul' — J. C. Ryle

A good conscience will be found a pleasant visitor at our bedside in a dying hour. — J. C. Ryle

Persecution, in short, is like the goldsmith's stamp on real silver and gold - it is one of the marks of a converted man. — J. C. Ryle

Make it a part of every day's business to read and meditate on some portion of God's Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls as food and clothing are for our bodies. — J. C. Ryle

Let us daily strive to copy our Savior's humility. — J. C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle Famous Quotes And Sayings

We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ's steps, and let the world say what it likes. — J. C. Ryle

Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy, but not just. Such a God is an idol of your own. — J. C. Ryle

And I believe it to be a signal evidence of the Spirit's presence when the Word is really precious to a man 's soul. — J. C. Ryle

The only way to be really happy in such a world as this, is to be ever casting all our cares on God. — J. C. Ryle

True repentance begins with KNOWLEDGE of sin. It goes on to work SORROW for sin. It leads to CONFESSION of sin before God. It shows itself before a person by a thorough BREAKING OFF from sin. It results in producing a DEEP HATRED for all sin. — J. C. Ryle

HATE SIN! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, excusing it, playing with it, we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred. — J. C. Ryle

Our Lord has many weak children in his family, many dull pupils in his school, many raw soldiers in his army, many lame sheep in his flock. Yet he bears with them all, and casts none away. Happy is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren. — J. C. Ryle

We know but little of true Christianity, if we don't feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people. — J. C. Ryle

God knew what we were before conversion - wicked, guilty, and defiled; yet He loved us. He knows what we will be after conversion - weak, erring, and frail; yet He loves us. — J. C. Ryle

Since Satan can't destroy the gospel, he has too often neutralized its usefulness by addition, subtraction or substitution. — J. C. Ryle

I maintain that to tell a person they are born again, while they are living in carelessness or sin, is a dangerous delusion. — J. C. Ryle

O Christian, look up and take comfort. Jesus has prepared a place for you, and those who follow Him shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of His hands. — J. C. Ryle

Conversion is not putting a man in an armchair and taking him easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. — J. C. Ryle

Are you tempted? Look unto Jesus. Are you afflicted? Look unto Jesus. Do all speak evil of you? Look unto Jesus. Do you feel cold, dull, and backsliding? Look unto Jesus. — J. C. Ryle

Pride comes from not knowing yourself and the world. The older you grow, and the more you see, the less reason you will find for being proud. Ignorance and inexperience are the pedestal of pride; once the pedestal is removed - pride will soon come down. — J. C. Ryle

Abide in Me says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this and I will never fail you. I will ever abide in you. — J. C. Ryle

By affliction He teaches us many precious lessons, which without it we should never learn. By affliction He shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world, makes us long for heaven. — J. C. Ryle

Laughter, ridicule, opposition, persecution, are often the only reward which Christ's followers get from the world. — J. C. Ryle

Look not to yourselves! You are by nature wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Look simply unto Jesus. — J. C. Ryle

What you think now about the cross of Christ, I cannot tell; but I can wish you nothing better than this - that you may be able to say with the apostle Paul, before you die or meet the Lord, 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' — J. C. Ryle

The love of our Lord Jesus Christ towards sinners is strikingly shown in His steady purpose of heart to die for them. — J. C. Ryle

Beware of self-righteousness in every possible shape and form. Some people get as much harm from their "virtues" as others do from their sins. — J. C. Ryle

In justification the word to be addressed to man is believe - only believe; in sanctification the word must be 'watch, pray, and fight.' — J. C. Ryle

True repentance is no light matter. It is a thorough change of heart about sin, a change showing itself in godly sorrow and humiliation - in heartfelt confession before the throne of grace - in a complete breaking off from sinful habits, and an abiding hatred of all sin. Such repentance is the inseparable companion of saving faith in Christ. — J. C. Ryle

No salvation without regeneration - no spiritual life without a new birth - no heaven without a new heart. — J. C. Ryle

Christ's death is the Christian's life. Christ's cross is the Christian's title to heaven. Christ "lifted up" and put to shame on Calvary is the ladder by which Christians "enter into the holiest," and are at length landed in glory. — J. C. Ryle

There are eternal consequences resulting from all our thoughts, words and actions, of which we take far too little account. — J. C. Ryle

Good hymns are an immense blessing to the Church. They train people for heaven, where praise is one of the principal occupations. — J. C. Ryle

Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. — J. C. Ryle

Let us watch against PRIDE in every shapepride of intellect, pride of wealth, pride in our own goodness. — J. C. Ryle

Any well-read man knows that the moral difference between the condition of the world before Christianity was planted and since Christianity took root is the difference between night and day, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the devil. — J. C. Ryle

We ought to regard the sacrament of baptism with reverence. An ordinance of which the Lord Jesus Himself partook, is not to be lightly esteemed. An ordinance to which the great Head of the Church submitted, ought to be ever honorable in the eyes of professing Christians. — J. C. Ryle

Millions of people profess and call themselves Christians, whom the Apostle Paul would not have called Christians at all. — J. C. Ryle

Humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand, if they do not comprehend doctrines. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes... The poorest Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility. — J. C. Ryle

Conduct is the grand test of character. Words are one great evidence of the condition of the heart. — J. C. Ryle

Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better, if it leads us to God. — J. C. Ryle

We never know who they are that God will draw, and have nothing to do with it. Our duty is to invite all, and leave it to God to choose the vessels of mercy. — J. C. Ryle

The children of God all have a cross to bear. A suffering Savior generally has suffering disciples. — J. C. Ryle

The true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humilty. — J. C. Ryle

The surest mark of true conversion is humility. — J. C. Ryle

One single soul saved shall outlive and outweigh all the kingdoms of the world. — J. C. Ryle

That preaching is sadly defective which dwells exclusively on the mercies of God and the joys of heaven, yet never sets forth the terrors of the Lord and the miseries of hell. — J. C. Ryle

The work of the preacher resembles that of the sower. Like the sower, the preacher must sow good seed, the Word of God. — J. C. Ryle

Sanctification is the outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration. He who is born again and made a new creature receives a new nature and a new principle and always lives a new life. — J. C. Ryle

We are evidently no friends of Satan. Like the kings of this world, he wars not against his own subjects. The very fact that he assaults us should fill our minds with hope. — J. C. Ryle

True worship leads to a more full knowledge of self, God, heaven, duty, doctrine, practice and experience. — J. C. Ryle

Meekness is one of the brightest graces which can adorn the Christian character. — J. C. Ryle

The rulers of the earth plan, and scheme, and make laws, and change laws, and war, and pull down one, and raise up another. But they little think that they rule only by the will of Jesus, and that nothing happens without the permission of the Lamb of God. — J. C. Ryle

We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family disease of all the children of Adam. — J. C. Ryle

Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached...let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we will hear with profit, and return with praise. — J. C. Ryle

Blessed are they who feel like pilgrims and strangers in this life, and whose best things are all to come! — J. C. Ryle

I must honestly declare my conviction that, since the days of the Reformation, there never has been so much profession of religion without practice, so much talking about God without walking with Him, so much hearing God's words without doing them. — J. C. Ryle

Without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven... How shall we ever be at home and happy in heaven if we die unholy? — J. C. Ryle

Just as the first sign of life in an infant when born into the world is the act of breathing, so the first act of men and women when they are born again is praying. — J. C. Ryle

The parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other. — J. C. Ryle

Let it be a settled principle in our minds, in reading the Bible, that Christ is the central sun of the whole book. So long as we keep Him in view, we shall never greatly err in our search for spiritual knowledge. Once losing sight of Christ, we shall find the whole Bible dark and full of difficulty. — J. C. Ryle

Life Lessons by J. C. Ryle

1. J. C. Ryle's work emphasizes the importance of living a life of faith and obedience to God's Word.
2. He stresses the need for Christians to be humble, faithful, and diligent in their service to God and to others.
3. His writings encourage us to be bold in our witness and to remain steadfast in our commitment to God and His Word, no matter the cost.