J.C. Ryle & Together for the Gospel

Sunday, I heard this quote from J.C. Ryle preached in an excellent sermon from my fellow pastor, Mark Redfern . I couldn't help but compare what Ryle said with the spirit and ethos of T4G and The Gospel Coalition.

"Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs, and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christ's Church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world, unless it is done by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow-minded, that they cannot conceive the possibility of working on any other pattern but that which they follow. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesiastical machinery, and can see no merit in any other. They are like him who cried when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, 'My lord Moses forbid them.' (Numbers. 11:28.)

To this intolerant spirit we owe some of the blackest pages of Church history. Christians have repeatedly persecuted Christians for no better reason than that which is here given by John. They have practically proclaimed to their brethren, 'you shall either follow us, or not work for Christ at all.'

Let us be on our guard against this feeling. It is only too near the surface of all our hearts. Let us study to realize that liberal, tolerant spirit which Jesus here recommends, and be thankful for good works wheresoever and by whomsoever done. Let us beware of the slightest inclination to stop and check others, merely because they do not choose to adopt our plans, or work by our side. We may think our fellow Christians mistaken in some points. We may fancy that more would be done for Christ, if they would join us, and if all worked in the same way. We may see many evils arising from religious dissensions and divisions. But all this must not prevent us rejoicing if the works of the devil are destroyed and souls are saved. Is our neighbour warring against Satan? Is he really trying to labour for Christ? This is the grand question. Better a thousand times that the work should be done by other hands than not done at all. Happy is he who knows something of the spirit of Moses, when he said, 'Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets;' and of Paul, when he says, 'If Christ is preached, I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.' (Numbers 11:29; Philippians 1:18.)"

- J.C. Ryle "Expository Thought on the Gospel" Vol 1. p.190-191.