The Gospel Is The Introduction To A Glorious Personal FRIEND, Our LORD, JESUS.

The loving heart of an actual living CHRIST!
(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

I am afraid that many Christians 
in our day have lost sight of CHRIST. 
They talk . . .
  more about salvation--
    than about their only SAVIOR, and
  more about redemption--
    than the one true REDEEMER, and
  more about CHRIST'S work--
    than CHRIST HIMSELF!

This is a great fault--
one that accounts for the dry 
and shriveled spirit that infuses 
the religious lives of many 
who profess faith. 

As ever you would grow in grace, 
and have joy and peace in believing--
beware of falling into this error!

Cease to regard the Gospel 
as a mere collection of dry 
doctrines. Look at it rather as 
the revelation of a mighty 
living BEING in whose sight 
you are daily to live.

Cease to regard the Gospel as 
a mere set of abstract propositions 
and abstruse principles and rules. 
Look at it as the introduction 
to a glorious personal Friend.

This is the kind of Gospel that 
the apostles preached. They did 
not go about the world telling men 
of love and mercy and pardon in 
the abstract. The leading subject 
of all their sermons, was the loving 
heart of an actual living CHRIST!

This is the kind of Gospel which is most 
calculated to promote sanctification 
and fitness for glory. Nothing, surely, 
is so likely to prepare us for that 
Heaven where CHRIST'S personal 
presence will be all, and that 
glory where we shall meet 
CHRIST face to face--
as to realize communion with 
CHRIST as an actual living Person. 
There is all the difference in the world, 
between an idea and a person!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's helpful short article, 
"Speak it Out".