We have too often been content with zeal for orthodoxy, and have neglected the sober realities of daily practical godliness
JC Ryle, Holiness, 25
The incompatibility between godliness on the one hand and zeal for true doctrine on the other is axiomatic. This axiom has come about because we know others who — or perhaps at one time or another we know ourselves to — have been zealous for doctrine yet appear to be wanting in regard to common manners, respectful tone, charitable attitude, or mature personal character. It must be conceded this perception is often accurate. One can be committed beyond a shadow of a doubt to some most precious truth and yet that commitment itself can be the regular occasion for ungodly anger, self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and so on. It is precisely at this time when the axiomatic disharmony of doctrine and life becomes an appealing way to reorient our minds.
What is striking about Ryle’s comment above is the evident rejection of this axiom. His interpretation of this common experience above does not conclude “strong mindedness toward doctrine is incompatible with gentleness, love, and humility.” Rather, he indicates that zeal for truth ought to only be the very beginning of Christian piety.
The Deceitfulness of Sin
Sin is tricky. We think to ourselves “oh, it is so obvious when I am sinning!” But we are wrong. It is not so obvious! Many times we sin when it is in our mind and our will to do right. This speaks to our great human misery. As another axiom says, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Put another way, our besetting sins are furnished with good intentions all around. This is what happens when we think ourselves the great defenders of truth even while doing great harm by our sinful attitudes and words employed for the noble sake of defending what is true.
When repenting of such attitudes, we ought never repent of defending the truth or esteeming the truth “too highly” (as if such a thing were possible); instead, we ought to learn to defend it better and esteem it even more highly than we do at present.
In our fight against sin, there is no greater resource than the divine truth of God’s Holy Word which God himself has promised to use in our sanctification. (John 17) We diminish or downplay the authority and power of Scripture at our own peril. Yet, it is so often the case that Christian Ethics and moral imperatives are exalted at the direct expense of or in distinction from serious doctrine. Whenever truth is downplayed and didactic instruction is offered, it is not so much moral and ethical teaching that is given — “this we must do because it is right and this we must not do because it is wrong” — but rather it is instruction in aesthetics or pragmatism. In other words, “we do this because it is pleasant and beautiful” or “we do this because it is useful to such and such a purpose.” These are two very different warrants and appeals for instruction. One is based on an appeal to truth, the others, in appeal to relative standards; in the former case, perceived wholeness, enjoyment, or attractiveness; in the latter case, perceived efficiency toward some end or another.
True Sanctification and Holiness
When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prayed for our sanctification, he said “Sanctify them by the truth; thy Word is truth.” (John 17:7) This is vital. The harmony between true righteousness and holiness and divine truth is cemented in the omniscient mind. If we are to be sanctified, zeal for truth ought to rule and govern the spirit of all our words, actions, thoughts, and attitudes. It is not that we are bubbling over with zeal for truth; no, we are deprived of it. The fires of our zeal are cold and close to going out. We need more, not less zeal for truth. Who can say it is otherwise in their case? No one. This is always the case.
Here is the truth which is the potent fuel of true devotion. Jesus Christ was not a weak man. God did not leave him in the grave. Yes, he was mocked and disdained by this world, but he is ruling this world from another. And yes, a far greater world where he is Divine Champion, Judge, King, and Most High Priest. And it is he who shed his blood for our sins. Who would dare say otherwise? Who would contest? Who would say this man is unworthy of the highest worship and praise? To them we say, behold the Word of God. Worship him. Live for him and die for him. He is all. Join us.
What else could ever be the engine of Christian piety but the man himself, the Divine Word of Truth in human flesh? Any other driving force behind our actions is idolatrous and worthy of our sincerest sorrow and repentance. This is our most foundational principle. This is at the very bottom of our hearts and souls.
