The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningthey are against sin in others and against sinning themselves. This is apparent inseveral ways:(i) They will not sin even when they have opportunity. Though they might do sowith pleasure, honour and profit as the world counts these things, they dare not.Some men are kept back from sin for lack of opportunity; if they had it they wouldsin. They do not lack the heart but the occasion, not the inclination but theopportunity. If tempted to sin they would sin. Others avoid sins that would bringdisgrace, but they can easily embrace pleasant, fashionable and profitable sins. Butgodly men dare not sin; on this point they all concur. Take for example Joseph:when he was courted into pleasure, even then he said, How, how can I find it in myheart? Can I do this? how shall I do this wickedness and sin against God! (Genesis39.7-9). It is, he said, sin against my master, sin against you, sin against my ownsoul, but the worst is, it is sin against God; how shall I do this wickedness and sinagainst God! There is another instance in relation to his brethren: what evil theydeserved from him and what opportunity he had to be revenged is well known; yethe generously forgave them and provided for them, and this was the reason: I fearGod, he said (Genesis 42.18). Job too, in his defence gives a full account of howodious a thing sin of all sorts was to him, even in his prosperity when he might,according to the course of this world, have done whatever seemed good in his owneyes, and none should have said to him, What doest thou, or why are you doingthus? On the other hand you find Balaam after the manner of hypocrites talkingand pretending like an angel but acting and intending like a devil; it was a kind oftrouble to him that he could not sin. 'I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord'(Numbers 22.18), but it seems he would have done if he could. A saint, however,would say, Neither can I, nor will I go against or beyond or short of the word of theLord, if I can help it.(ii) They will rather suffer than sin. Many men make a bad choice such as Elihucharged on Job, 'This (that is to say, sin) hast thou chosen rather than affliction'(Job 36.21). But godly men make Moses' choice who chose affliction rather thanthe pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11.24-28). As precious a thing as life is, a godly manwould not willingly sin to save his life. Though the mouth of a fiery furnace heatedseven times was open to devour the three children, as we call them, yet they wouldnot sin (Daniel 3.18). Daniel would rather adventure on the lions than neglect aduty to his God (Daniel 6.10). Though bonds waited on St. Paul everywhere, yet hecould not be restrained by fear of them from preaching the faith of Jesus (Acts20.23-24 with 21.11-15). You find in Hebrews 11 a long catalogue, a little book ofmartyrs who chose all manner of deaths before any kind of manner of sin. Theywould not accept deliverance on ignoble terms but would rather die holily than livesinfully. These all declare that it is better to suffer to avoid sinning, than to sin toavoid suffering.(iii) They will not sin though grace abound or that grace may abound (Romans6.1,2). No! God forbid! Though they have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christthe righteous, who is the propitiation for their sins (1 John 2.1,2) they will not doso. The very doctrine of grace and their interest in the death of Christ is the greatobligation upon them not to sin (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 5.15; Titus 2.11,12). Theassurance of glory is a reason for mortification: 'When Christ who is our life shallappear, then shall ye appear with him in glory' (Colossians 3.4,5). What then? May63