# “Christ is the almighty Builder” by J.C. Ryle

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2014/02/10/christ-is-the-almighty-builder-by-j-c-ryle/
- Published: 2014-02-10T07:30:13-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“Great is the _wisdom_ wherewith the Lord Jesus Christ builds His Church! All is
done at the right time, and in the right way. Each stone in its turn is put in its
right place.

Sometimes He chooses great stones, and sometimes He chooses small stones. Sometimes
the work goes on fast, and sometimes it goes on slowly. Man is frequently impatient,
and thinks that nothing is doing.

But man’s time is not God’s time. A thousand years in His sight are but as a single
day. The great Builder makes no mistakes. He knows what He is doing. He sees the
end from the beginning.

He works by a perfect, unalterable, and certain plan. The mightiest conceptions 
of architects, like Michaelangelo and Wren, are mere trifling and child’s play, 
in comparison with Christ’s wise counsels respecting His Church.

Great is the _condescension_ and mercy which Christ exhibits in building His Church!
He often chooses the most unlikely and roughest stones, and fits them into a most
excellent work.

He despises none, and rejects none, on account of former sins and past transgressions.
He often makes Pharisees and Publicans become pillars of His house. He delights 
to show mercy.

He often takes the most thoughtless and ungodly, and transforms them into polished
corners of His spiritual temple.

Great is the _power_ which Christ displays in building His Church! He carries on
His work in spite of opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

In storm, in tempest, through troublous times, silently, quietly, without noise,
without stir, without excitement, the building progresses, like Solomon’s temple.‘
I will work,’ He declares, ‘and who shall let it?’ (Isaiah 43:13.)

We ought to feel deeply thankful that the building of the true Church is laid on
the shoulders of One that is mighty. If the work depended on man, it would soon 
stand still.

But, blessed be God, the work is in the hands of a Builder who never fails to accomplish
His designs! Christ is the almighty Builder. He will carry on His work, though nations
and visible Churches may not know their duty.

Christ will never fail. That which He has undertaken He will certainly accomplish.”

–J.C. Ryle, [_Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0852341369?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
London: William Hunt and Company, 1889), 312-312.

More quotes from [J.C. Ryle](https://tollelege.net/category/jc-ryle/) · More on 
[The Church](https://tollelege.net/category/the-church/)

## Comments

### By: doulos tou Theou

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2014/02/10/christ-is-the-almighty-builder-by-j-c-ryle/comment-page-1/#comment-7250
- Published: 2014-02-10T08:57:00-06:00

Reblogged this on [A Glorious Revolution](http://trinitypastor.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/christ-is-the-almighty-builder-by-j-c-ryle/).