(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)
He who wishes to attain right views about Christian holiness--must begin by examining the vast and solemn subject of sin. He must dig down very low--if he would build high. A mistake here is most mischievous. Wrong views about holiness--are generally traceable to wrong views about human corruption.
The plain truth is, that a right understanding of SIN lies at the root of all saving Christianity. Without it, such doctrines as justification, conversion, sanctification, are "words and names" which convey no meaning to the mind.
The first thing, therefore, that God does when He makes anyone a new creature in Christ, is to send light into his heart and show him that he is a guilty sinner!
Dim or indistinct views of sin are the origin of most of the errors, heresies and false doctrines of the present day! If a man does not realize the dangerous nature of his soul's disease--you cannot wonder if he is content with false or imperfect remedies. I believe that one of the chief needs of the contemporary church has been, and is--clearer, fuller teaching about sin!
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