John 4:27-30

Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 4:27-30

1. We see how marvelous in the eyes of men and women are Christ’s dealings with souls.
2. We see how absorbing is the influence of grace, when it first comes into a believer’s heart.
3. We see how zealous a truly converted person is to do good to others.

"The astonishment expressed at conversions is a proof of the weak faith and ignorance of these days. The thing that ought to fill us with surprise is the obstinate unbelief of the ungodly and their determined perseverance on the way to ruin."

"Grace once introduced into the heart drives out old tastes and interests. A converted person no longer cares for what they once cared for. A new tenant is in the house. A new pilot is at the helm. The whole world looks different. All things have become new."

"Where is our faith, if we believe that souls around us are perishing and that Christ alone can save them and yet hold our peace? Where is our charity if we can see others going down to hell and yet say nothing to them about Christ and salvation? We may well doubt our own love to Christ if our hearts are never moved to speak of Him."

Questions:

1. Ryle begins by pointing out the astonishment of the disciples at the conversion of this woman at the well, and how this is true today for us still. He exhorts us that if we had more faith, we would, like Jesus, marvel more at the hard-heartedness of unbelievers and expect more people converted. Is this a rebuke to you as it is to me? Would we not pray that conversions would be expected as we seek to faithfully speak the Word of God and expect it to bear fruit?

2. Ryle points out that the woman left her house to get water, but returned having left her waterpot to tell others of the Messiah. He points this out as an example of true conversion; not that we never pick up the waterpot, so to speak, but that there are new desires and interests. What do we know of this?

3. The woman at the well was moved to speak of Christ and was clearly concerned for the state of their souls. Do we believe that the souls around us are perishing? Does it produce a desire to speak to them about the Savior? May this bring us to humble reflection, and may it result in a desire to come to the cross of Christ and produce fruit in our lives.