Something Peculiar, Distinct
and Different by J. C. Ryle The effects of the Spirit's
work in conversion will always be seen. Those effects may be
weak and feeble at first, but there, where there is true conversion,
some fruit will always be seen. Where no effect can be seen,
there you may be sure is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be
found, there you may be sure is no true conversion. Does anyone
ask me what we may expect to see in a true conversion? I reply,
there will always be something seen in a converted man's character,
and feelings, and conduct, and opinions, and daily life. You will not see perfection in
him, but you will see in him something peculiar, distinct,
and different from other people. You will see him hating sin,
loving Christ, following after holiness, taking pleasure in
his Bible, persevering in prayer. You will see him penitent, humble,
believing, temperate, charitable, truthful, good-tempered, patient,
upright, honorable, kind. These, at any rate, will be his
aims. These are the things which he
will follow after, however short he may come of perfection. In
some converted people, you will see these things more distinctly,
in others less. This only I say, wherever there
is conversion, something of this kind will be seen. True conversion
is a thing that can always be seen. Never, never will I allow
that the Blessed Spirit can be in a man's heart when no fruit
of the Spirit can be seen in his life. A conversion which
allows a man to live in sin, to lie, and drink, and swear,
is not the conversion of the Bible. It is a counterfeit conversion,
which can only please the devil, and will lead the man who is
satisfied with it, not to heaven, but to hell.