Looking Unto Jesus by J.C. Ryle
"Looking unto Jesus" is a very simple expression: it is soon spoken and soon written; it contains no words hard to be understood. But it is an expression rich in contents, and filled to the brim with food for thought. Here is a brief account of the Christian's character: he is one who "looks to Jesus." Here is the secret of running successfully the race that leads toward heaven: we must he ever "looking to Jesus." This is the way to begin well; this is the way to go on prosperously; this is the way to end in peace. Here is the photograph of patriarchs and prophets, of apostles and martyrs, of holy fathers and holy reformers, of holy saints, in every land and age: they were all men who "looked to Jesus." Here is the marrow of all creeds, and articles, and confessions of guilt: to "look to Jesus." Reader, if you and I wish to be saved, let us begin by asking ourselves the simple question, Am I looking to Jesus?
"Looking unto Jesus" is a very simple expression: it is soon spoken and soon written; it contains no words hard to be understood. But it is an expression rich in contents, and filled to the brim with food for thought. Here is a brief account of the Christian's character: he is one who "looks to Jesus." Here is the secret of running successfully the race that leads toward heaven: we must he ever "looking to Jesus." This is the way to begin well; this is the way to go on prosperously; this is the way to end in peace. Here is the photograph of patriarchs and prophets, of apostles and martyrs, of holy fathers and holy reformers, of holy saints, in every land and age: they were all men who "looked to Jesus." Here is the marrow of all creeds, and articles, and confessions of guilt: to "look to Jesus." Reader, if you and I wish to be saved, let us begin by asking ourselves the simple question, Am I looking to Jesus?
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
and muscle, and too often ends in deadness. It is not the wind,<br />
nor the fire, nor the earthquake—but the still small voice, which<br />
shows the real presence of the Holy Spirit. (1 Kings 19:12).<br />
The Christianity which the world requires, and the Word of God<br />
reveals—is of a very different stamp. It is a useful everyday<br />
religion. It is a healthy, strong, manly plant, which can live in<br />
every position, and flourish in every atmosphere, except that of<br />
sin. It is a religion which a man can carry with him wherever he<br />
goes, and never need leave behind him. In the army or in the<br />
navy, at the public school or at college, in the hospital-room or at<br />
the bar, on the farm or in the shop—true heaven-born<br />
Christianity will live and not die. It will wear, and stand, and<br />
prosper in any climate—in winter and in summer, in heat and in<br />
cold. Such a religion meets the needs of mankind.<br />
But where is such true Christianity to be found? What are its<br />
special ingredients? What is the nature of it? What are its peculiar<br />
characteristics? The answer to these questions is to be found in<br />
the three words of the text which form the title of this paper.<br />
The secret of a vigorous, powerful, everyday Christianity—is to be ever<br />
"<strong>Looking</strong> unto <strong>Jesus</strong>!" The glorious company of the Apostles, the<br />
noble army of martyrs, the saints who in every age and land have<br />
made their mark on mankind, and turned the world upside down<br />
—all, all have had one common mint-stamp upon them. They<br />
have been men who lived "<strong>Looking</strong> unto <strong>Jesus</strong>!" The expression<br />
of the text is one of those pithy golden sayings which stand out<br />
here and there on the face of the New Testament, and demand<br />
special attention. It is like "to me to live is Christ," "Christ is all<br />
and in all," "Christ, who is our life," "He is our peace," "I live <strong>by</strong> the<br />
5 of 23
Change language