"It will cost a man the favor of the world. He must be content to be thought ill of by man if he pleases God.
He must count it no strange thing to be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, persecuted, and even hated.
He must not be surprised to find his opinions and practices in religion despised and held up to scorn.
He must submit to be thought by many a fool, an enthusiast, and a fanatic – to have his words perverted and his actions misrepresented.
In fact, he must not marvel if some call him mad. “I dare say this also sounds hard.
We naturally dislike unjust dealing and false charges, and think it very hard to be accused without cause.
We should not be flesh and blood if we did not wish to have the good opinion of our neighbors.
It is always unpleasant to be spoken against, and forsaken, and lied about, and to stand alone.
But there is no help for it.
The cup which our Master drank must be drunk by His disciples. They must be ‘despised and rejected of men.’ (Isaiah 53:3).
Let us set down that item last in our account.
To be a Christian it will cost a man the favor of the world."
~ J. C. Ryle 1816-1900, "Holiness"
Sweet friend, do you know the Lord and if you are going to heaven? Please read this to be sure.
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2 comments:
This 100% true. Its hard to believe he wrote that so many years ago and it applies to today.
Dear Regina, I agree! Love reading some of the older writings because they do apply today. Thanks for stopping by and hope you visit again soon!
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