# “We must read our Bibles like men digging for hidden treasure” by J.C. Ryle

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2021/04/14/we-must-read-our-bibles-like-men-digging-for-hidden-treasure-by-j-c-ryle/
- Published: 2021-04-14T12:00:50-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“What our Lord did mean to rebuke was that excessive attention to labour for the
body, while the soul is neglected, which prevails everywhere in the world (**John
6:26**). What He reproved was, the common habit of labouring only for the things
of time, and letting alone the things of eternity—of minding only the life that 
now is, and disregarding the life to come. Against this habit He delivers a solemn
warning.

Surely, we must all feel our Lord did not say the words before us without good cause.
They are a startling caution which should ring in the ears of many in these latter
days.

How many in every rank of life are doing the very thing against which Jesus warns
us! They are labouring night and day for ‘the meat that perisheth,’ and doing nothing
for their immortal souls.

Happy are those who learn betimes the respective value of soul and body, and give
the first and best place in their thoughts to salvation. One thing is needful. He
that seeks first the kingdom of God, will never fail to find ‘all other things added
to him.’ (**Matt. 6:33**)

We should mark, thirdly, in this passage, what Christ advises. He tells us to ‘labour
for the meat that endureth to everlasting life.’ (**John 6:27**) He would have us
take pains to find food and satisfaction for our souls. That food is provided in
rich abundance in Him. But he that would have it must diligently seek it.

How are we to labour? There is but one answer. We must labour in the use of all 
appointed means.

We _must_ read our Bibles like men digging for hidden treasure.

We _must_ wrestle earnestly in prayer like men contending with a deadly enemy for
life.

We _must_ take our whole heart to the house of God and worship and hear like those
who listen to the reading of a will.

We _must_ fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight
for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves.

These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him.
This is ‘labouring.’ This is the secret of getting on about our souls.

Labour like this no doubt is very uncommon. In carrying it on we shall have little
encouragement from man, and shall often be told that we are “extreme,” and go too
far.

Strange and absurd as it is, the natural man is always fancying that we may take
too much thought about religion, and refusing to see that we are far more likely
to take too much thought about the world.

But whatever man may say, the soul will never get spiritual food without labour.
We must ‘strive,’ we must ‘run,’ we must ‘fight,’ we must throw our whole heart 
into our soul’s affairs. It is ‘the violent’ who take the kingdom. (**Matt. 11:12**)

We should mark, lastly, in this passage, what a promise Christ holds out. He tells
us that He himself will give eternal food to all who seek it: ‘The Son of man shall
give you the meat that endureth unto everlasting life.’

How gracious and encouraging these words are! Whatever we need for the relief of
our hungering souls, Christ is ready and willing to bestow. Whatever mercy, grace,
peace, strength we require, the Son of man will give freely, immediately, abundantly,
and eternally.

He is ‘sealed,’ and appointed, and commissioned by God the Father for this very 
purpose. Like Joseph in the Egyptian famine, it is His office to be the Friend, 
and Almoner, and Reliever of a sinful world. He is far more willing to give than
man is to receive. The more sinners apply to Him, the better He is pleased.

And now, as we leave this rich passage, let us ask ourselves, what use we make of
it? For what are we labouring ourselves? What do we know of lasting food and satisfaction
for our inward man?

Never let us rest till we have eaten of the meat which Christ alone can give. They
that are content with any other spiritual food will sooner or later ‘lie down in
sorrow.’ (**Isa. 50:11**)”

–J.C. Ryle, [_Expository Thoughts on John, Volume 1_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848711328?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1869/2012), 1: 243-245. Ryle is commenting on **John
6:22-27**.

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