The world's standard of Christianity

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

Let me warn everyone who wants to be saved — not to be content with the world's standard of Christianity. Surely no man with his eyes open, can fail to see that the Christianity of the New Testament is something far higher and deeper than the Christianity of most professing Christians. That formal, easy-going, do-little thing, which most people call 'religion' — is evidently not the religion of the Lord Jesus. The things which He praises — are not praised by the world. The things which He blames — are not things in which the world sees any harm. Oh, if you would follow Christ — do not be content with the world's Christianity! Tremble, tremble and repent!