The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningevery relative person, such as husband or wife, etc., should read and, if they can,write out and pray that God would write in their hearts the several directions whichthe Scripture so frequently and abundantly gives to all relations; that they maykeep them before their eyes, that they may walk in the truth. Relative duties aretoo little minded, and if we only considered that we are really that which we arerelatively, it would immensely oblige and quicken us to be good in ourrelationships. It is not likely that they are good Christians who are bad husbands orwives, bad parents or children, bad superiors or inferiors in their places.(c) Take heed of the sins of the age, country, and places where you live. There aresins as it were particular to some ages and countries, as to them of the latter andlast days (1 Timothy 4.1-4 and 2 Timothy 3.1-5). When sin becomes an epidemic,it is the less abstained from, for few people care to be different. When sins are as itwere the custom and fashion of the country, most will be sinners, especially if sin iscountenanced by the example of great ones. But as we should not be conformed tothis world at large, neither should we to any part of it. Is there any sin by whichthe land is defiled, for which the land mourns, and is ready to spew out theinhabitants thereof for it? (Leviticus 18.27, 28); take heed, then, that you are notfound guilty. But be one of the mourners, whom God will set a mark upon (Ezekiel9.4). When formality, hypocrisy and apostasy are in fashion, be cautious not to sinin any of these ways, any more than by swearing, drunkenness and uncleanness,though they are common and uncontrolled.Beware lest you regard the favour and praise of men more than, or without, thefavour and praise of God, which hypocrites and only hypocrites do (John 12.42-43).Daniel and the three children would not sin for the sake of fashion, not even thoughthey were commanded to sin. And the Apostles made their appeal to them thatwould have had them sin, saying, 'Whether it be right in the sight of God tohearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye' (Acts 4.18-20). It is God whojudges, and not man, and he only has absolute authority over us, to commandwhat he pleases, and therefore our chief care should be to please him. We shallfind that the best way to please all, or to displease any with least danger, is toplease him who is all in all. Therefore, if any think it strange that ye run not withthem to the same excess of riot, and speak evil of you (1 Peter 4.4), answer themas Joseph did his mistress, 'How can I do this great wickedness, and sin againstGod?' (Genesis 39.9). Tell them as the Apostle does that you and they must givean account to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead; seeing thereforethat the end of all things is at hand, let us be sober and watch unto prayer (1 Peter4.5,7). This David did, when they spoke evil of him, fought against him without acause, and for his love became his adversaries (Psalm 109.2-4).(d) Take heed of the sins that attend your callings, occupations and trades. I wouldpremise certain things here:(i) Every man should have a calling to follow, and should follow his calling, as wasmentioned above. God has given no man a dispensation to be idle. The rule is, andthat by commandment, that if any will not work, that is able to work, neithershould he eat (2 Thessalonians 3.10). If this rule were observed, I am afraid thatmore rich than poor would go with hungry stomach and empty bellies. Of idlenesscomes no good, but certainly a great deal of evil. They who are at work are not at144