Practical Religion Chap 7 Charity

Practical ReligionChapter 7: Love (Charity)

J. C. Ryle

Overview

Though charity (or love) is “the Queen of Christian graces”, it is widely misunderstood

We will examine four points:

1. The place the Bible gives to charity

2. What Biblical charity really is

3. The source of true charity

4. Why charity is the greatest of the graces

The Place the Bible Gives to Love

If anyone is disposed to think this subject a matter of light importance, I will only ask him to look at these texts, and to think again.

These texts “show the immense importance of charity, as one of the ‘things that accompany salvation.’ They prove that it has a right to demand the serious attention of all who call themselves Christians, and that those who despise the subject are only exposing their own ignorance of Scripture.”

In all religious inquiries there is nothing like letting the Scripture speak for itself.

What Is Biblical Love (Charity)?

It is not simply giving to the poor

It does not consist of never disapproving the behavior of others

In our society it is is now seen as cruel or harsh to disapprove of behavior the Bible condemns. That is not charity (or love).

Claiming that “judge not” prohibits seeing sin is to throw a veil over sin, and to refuse to call things by their right names.

To talk of ‘hearts’ being good, when ‘lives’ are flatly wrong,— to shut our eyes against wickedness, and say smooth things of immorality — this is not scriptural charity.


Biblical charity does not consist of never disapproving the religious opinions of others.

If that were charity, then the apostles were wrong to preach to the Gentiles, missions is of no use, and we should close our Bibles and lock our churches

The only result is universalism – we are all going to heaven.

True charity says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1) and “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting” (2 Jn 10).


Charity is love - The fruit of the spirit is love. Gal 5:22

Love to God – with heart, soul, mind and strength

Love to man – your neighbor as yourself

This charity will show itself in actions

It is not content with kind words, but continues with kind actions

It cares more for ministering than for being ministered to (following the example of Christ)

It needs no wages – its work is its reward


The Lord’s example

Though he was hated, persecuted, slandered and misrepresented, yet patiently endured, with no angry word or ill-temper

Yet, the Lord never flattered sinners or winked at sin

He never hesitated to denounce false doctrine, or rebuke wickedness

He called things by their right names – sins (and named them)

He spoke of hell and condemnation as well as of the kingdom of glory

He showed that it is quite possible to condemn false doctrine and wicked practice, and be full of love at the same time


Two thoughts on charity:

Think how little charity there is on earth!

What a happy world this would be if there was more charity

The Source of True Love (Charity)

Biblical charity only appears in a heart prepared by the Holy Spirit.

The image of God is restored by the Spirit

One of the first features of this heart is love

Such a heart is deeply convinced of sin, hates it, flees from it, and fights with it from day to day.

Biblical charity is not natural to man. To see this you need only observe children – left to themselves they will only think first of themselves


Biblical charity only appears in a heart prepared by the Holy Spirit.

The image of God is restored by the Spirit

One of the first features of this heart is love

Such a heart is deeply convinced of sin, hates it, flees from it, and fights with it from day to day.

Such a heart is deeply aware of its debt to Jesus Christ, and seeks to show its gratitude, and to be like Him, showing love.


You cannot have the fruits of Christianity without the roots – you cannot have love and Biblical charity without reckoning man's sinfulness and Christ's atoning blood sacrifice.

While this does not negate the idea of worldly kindness, the enduring and genuinely selfless form of Biblical charity is not the same thing

Novels (films) promote the false idea that people can demonstrate true charity. This is simply fiction. There cannot be true charity without a heart renewed by grace.

There are many who profess to admire charity, while they care nothing about vital Christianity. They like some of the fruits and results of the gospel, but not the root from which these fruits alone can grow, or the doctrines with which they are inseparably connected.

Why Charity Is the Greatest Grace

We should not suppose that love/charity is a replacement for saving faith.

Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13. Though Paul exalts faith more highly than any other writer, he says that the greatest of the graces is love.


Three reasons for this statement:

1. This is the one area where there is some likeness between the believer and his God

God has no need of faith or hope, but He is love – the more love his people have, the more they are like Him.



2. Charity (Love) is the grace that is most useful to others

A.It is the root of good works (missions, hospitals, schools)

B. It made the apostles spend themselves for souls

C. It raises workers for Christ, and keeps them working

D.It smooths quarrels, stops strife, and covers a multitude of sins (1 Pet 4:8)

E. It adorns Christianity and recommends it to the world



3. Charity is the grace which endures the longest – it will never die

Faith will become sight, Hope will become certainty, but Charity/Love will live through eternity


Charity, be it ever remembered, cannot justify and put away our sins. It is neither Christ, nor faith. But charity makes us somewhat like God. Charity is of mighty use to the world. Charity will live and flourish when faith’s work is done. Paul says, “‘Though I understand all knowledge, and have not charity, I am nothing’” (1 Cor. 13: 3). You may have knowledge and understanding, but do you have charity? If you have charity, practice it and teach it. Charity brings its own reward – practice it diligently Teach charity to others, especially children

Concluding Thoughts

For next week:

Chapter 8: Zeal

Please read:

Titus 2:14

1 Cor 9:2

Date post:	16-Apr-2017
Category:	Spiritual
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Practical Religion Chap 7 Charity

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