The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningdarkness. He consumed almost a whole world at once; only eight persons weresaved. He has cut off cities and nations not a few, as well as the things that havehappened to individuals. Therefore men cannot say that all things continue as theywere, and that God is not a God of judgment or that he is an allower of the evil ofsin.There is no age in which God does not really and actually judge sinners. Perhapsthis may not be so clear to prejudiced and partial observers, who think that nothingis a punishment except what is miraculous or extraordinary. As if the earth mustalways swallow men up, or God strike men down with thunderbolts continually, andnothing less be called a punishment! How often is God's hand lifted up but men willnot see, indeed, felt yet not acknowledged! God has his deputy in men's bosoms,their own conscience which often accuses and condemns them so that they cannotstand before its judgment. When their hearts smite them they sink, and theircountenance and courage falls, as was the case with Cain and Judas and Spira. Ifmen were only honest and would only tell what stings of conscience they feel, therewould be witness enough how God lashes man within, and executes judgment upontheir spirits. But God often inflicts corporal punishment visibly and before the eyesof others. Before the flood this was most commonly done directly and in person.But it may also be through an intermediary, sometimes by angels, and sometimesby magistrates who are human and mortal gods, deputies to the God above. Youcould say that by these God rides circuit and holds assizes very frequently.Judgment is now a strange work and does not seem so appropriate to this day ofpatience as to the day of wrath which is to come. Yet even so, God often makesexamples and though he does not make as yet a full end of all nations, yet heleaves none altogether unpunished.2. God has executed judgment on his own people when they have sinned, to showhow hateful sin is, even in those he so dearly loves. One would think that if Godwould spare any, he would spare his own; and indeed, he pities them and sparesthem as a father pities and spares the son who serves him. But though he forgivesthem, yet he takes vengeance on their iniquity (Psalm 99.8). God forgives many asinner, as to punishment, in this life, who will not be forgiven in the world to come;but since God fully resolves to forgive his people for ever, he will not wholly forgivethem, that is, he will not leave them altogether unpunished here in time. God hasbeen very severe with his people when they have sinned; it has cost them dear.King David's adultery and murder cost him broken bones: 'Heal the bones that thouhast broken', he says in a penitential psalm (Psalm 51.8). When Peter had sinned itcost him a bitter weeping. Repentance is a costly thing. It is disgrace, sorrow andpain to a man, even though it is a grace and duty.If God's children go astray and play truant they must feel the rod. It is the rod ofthe Covenant, for chastening and correction of wantonness are in the Covenant aswell as the supply of wants, threatening of judgment as well as promises of mercy.Sometimes sin brings such sorrow on the very members of the Church that theyare in danger of being swallowed up with overmuch sorrow, if not of despairingaltogether and giving up hope of mercy (2 Corinthians 2.7). God is gracious andmerciful, yet he is a God visiting iniquity, and will sometimes punish those whomhe has known and loved above all the people of the earth. Though he will not take52