The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningd. They will not allow men to sin who would do it to honour them. When John fell atthe feet of one of them to worship him, the angel said: 'See thou do it not'(Revelation 19.10); Do not that to me which is to be done to God alone. And again,John said: 'I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed methese things, but he said unto me, "See thou do it not, but worship God"'(Revelation 22.8,9). The angels are so holy that they cannot endure the leastreflection being cast on God or the least duty neglected towards God.e. They rebuke sin when they find it in God's own people, and that sharply andseverely. Though the hard treatment that she had received made Hagar run away,yet the angel said to her, 'Return to thy mistress and submit thyself to her'(Genesis 16.8,9). It is as if he had said, 'Hagar, Hagar, it is better to suffer than tosin.' When Sarah laughed at the news of a son, and then being afraid deniedhaving done so, the angel said: 'Nay, but thou didst laugh'; he told her her faultbluntly (Genesis 18.12-15). When Zacharias believed not the angel, he was madedumb (Luke 1.13-20). Thus the angels rebuked for sin.f. They rejoice at the conversion of sinners. To be converted is the recovery of asoul from a dead and lost condition; and then the angels rejoice (Luke 15.7-10).There is a kind of joy in hell among the devils when one who is converted sins andwhen sinners are not converted: and so there is joy in heaven at the conversion ofa sinner. The Rabbis say of this, While sinners rejoice in their sins, the angels aregrieving for them; when and while men live in sin they dishonour their and theangels' God. But when they are converted they give glory to God which is theangels' work and joy. This is their song: Glory to God on high. And when men beara part with them in this song, it is their joy.g. They constantly oppose wicked angels and wicked men. Good and holy men arecommitted to the charge of good angels. He gives his angels charge to keep themin all their ways (Psalm 91.11); and the angels are ministering spirits for the goodof them that shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1.14). They encamp round aboutthem that fear the Lord (Psalm 34.7). And when wicked men or devils would hurtthis charge, they rise up in their might. Gabriel and Michael join against the Princeof Persia (Daniel 10.20). Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and hisangels and overcame them (Revelation 12.7). When Balaam hankered after thewages of unrighteousness to curse Israel, the angel of the Lord withstood him(Numbers 22.32). Thus by their protection of the good the angels show theirdetestation of sin in them that would touch God's anointed or do his prophetsharm.h. They are ready to execute God's judgment and vengeance on sinners. The angelthat was merciful to Balaam's ass was ready to slay Balaam: but he was reservedto fall by other hands. When Herod was wicked enough to assume glory to himselfwhich of right is God's, the angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not gloryto God (Acts I2.23). When God judges men, the angels will execute the judgmentspoken by him. The angels executed destruction from the Lord against Sodom andGomorrah because their sin was great (Genesis 19.13). When Israel sinned, Godsent destroying angels among them. They made great havoc among the armies ofthe aliens. They pour out the vials of God's wrath upon the earth and praise God as58