Reasons will never be wanting in our minds why we cannot be bright and eminent Christians just now. It is very possible to admire a high standard of spirituality in others, while we are content with very low practice ourselves. We persuade our selves there is something peculiar in our particular case which makes it almost impossible to shine…. [Excuses] are generally the Devils coinage. Let us settle it firmly in our hearts, that there are few of us indeed who cannot glorify God just where we are without any change. All our excuses are as dust in the balance when placed against that promise “my grace is sufficient for thee.” Let us not deceive ourselves. By the grace of God we may be bright saints even now.

J. C. Ryle, Consider Your Ways (London: Wertheim & Macintosh, 1849), 22.