J.C. Ryle: To be Without Christ is to be Without God

We are witnessing a disturbing trend from many who call themselves the true church of God.  They talk about God's mercy and love, but fail to mention the importance of total submission to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to receive eternal life and avoid the full wrath of God at the end of the age.  Unfortunately, many of these sources look to their own hearts and desires instead of to the true source of Truth: God's Word.  And what does Scripture have to say about this issue?  In the words of J.C. Ryle, "To be 'without Christ' is to be without God."

"To be 'without Christ' is to be without God.  The Apostle St. Paul told the Ephesians as much as this in plain words.  He ends the famous sentence which begins, 'You were without Christ,' by saying, ' You were without God in the world.'  And who that thinks can wonder?  That man can have very low ideas of God who does not conceive Him a most pure and holy and glorious and spiritual Being.  That man must be very blind who does not see that human nature is corrupt and sinful and defiled.  How then can such a worm as man draw near to God with comfort?  How can he look up to Him with confidence and not feel afraid?  How can he speak to Him, have dealings with Him, look forward to dwelling with Him, without dread and alarm?  There must be a mediator between God and man, and there is but one that can fill the office.  That One is Christ.

"Who are you to talk of God's mercy and God's love separate from and independent of Christ?  There is no such love and mercy recorded in Scripture.  Know this day that God out of Christ is 'a consuming fire' (Heb. 12:29).  Merciful He is, beyond all question rich in mercy, and plenteous in mercy.  But His mercy is inseparably connected with the mediation of His beloved Son Jesus Christ.  It must flow through Him as the appointed channel, or it cannot flow at all.  It is written 'He that honors not the Son, honors not the Father which has Him.'  'I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes unto the Father, but by Me' (John 5:23; 14:6).  'Without Christ' we are without God" (Holiness, J.C. Ryle).