A Story without End

Bishop J. C. Ryle:

I have heard of a book entitled “The Story without an End.” I know no story deserving that title so well as the everlasting Gospel: this is indeed and in truth the story without an end. There is an infinite “fullness” in Christ; there are in Him “unsearchable riches;” there is in Him a “love which passeth knowledge;” He is an “unspeakable gift.” (Coloss. i. 19; Ephes. iii. 8; iii. 19; 2 Cor. ix. 15.) There is no end to all the riches that are treasured up in Him,–in His person, in His work, in His offices, in His words, in His deeds, in His life, in His death, in His resurrection. . . .

True Christians come unto God. They are not as many, who turn their backs upon Him; who “go into a far country,” like the prodigal son; “who go out,” like Cain, “from the presence of the Lord”; who are “alienated, strangers and enemies in their mind by wicked works.” (Coloss. i. 21.) They are reconciled to God and friends of God. They are not as many, who dislike everything that belongs to God,–His Word, His day, His ordinances, His people, His house. They love all that belongs to their Master. The very footprints of His steps are dear unto them. His name is as ointment poured forth.–They are not as many, who are content with coming to church, or with coming to chapel, or with coming to the Lord’s Table. They go further than that. They “come unto God,” and in communion with God they live.

But, more than this, true Christians come unto God in a certain peculiar way. They come unto God by Christ; pleading no other plea, mentioning no other name, trusting in no other righteousness, resting on no other foundation than this,–that Jesus hath lived, Jesus hath died, Jesus hath risen again for their souls. (“Able to Save”)