Book Review - "Thoughts for Young Men" by J.C. Ryle

I picked this book up as the result of the recommendation at a pastor's conference I attended.  I am glad that I did.  This book was an excellent reminder of the need for holiness in our lives and the constant watch-care and toil that is required to allow God to grow us in holiness.

Although the book is address to young men I would say that most of the points within are applicable to people of all ages and to both genders.  I think that anyone with a desire to grow in Christ would read this and be benefited.  Essentially, he calls people into awareness.  The recognition that holiness does not just appear, but that it is a coordinated effort on our part to work to allow God to work.  It is a call to remember our own sinfulness and tendencies and fight to replace them with God-given tendencies. 

This process involves both the internal and the external. There are certainly things that we must do - such as understand our sin and grow in our desire to avoid it.  But there are also things external - like binding ourselves to a group of believers.  Or making sure that our friends have our same goals in mind.  There are clear things that can be done to help our growth. 

The one downside to the book is that it is written (as an older book) in an older English and can be difficult to work through at times.  The work is however immensely worth the toil!

I highly recommend the book to anyone desiring to pursue God, and particularly those who have young men!