The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph VenningIf we take the doctrine of the Gospel apart, it is in every part against sin. There isnot one Gospel doctrine that in its application does not strike against sin. The graceof God bringing salvation (the saving grace of God) hath appeared to all men (andso it is against the sin of all men and against all sin), teaching us that denyingungodliness and worldly lusts (without exception) we should live soberly (as toourselves) righteously (as to others) and godly (to God) in this present world (thatis, all the days of our life, as in Luke 1.74,75)' (Titus 2.11). The Gospel is a witnessagainst the old man with all his corrupt affections, passions, lusts, and deeds, andis all for new light and knowledge, new love and affection, new life and conduct. Itsdesign is that man should be no longer an old, but a new creature (Ephesians 4.17-25; 2 Corinthians 5.17). It is against all sin and for all righteousness and holiness;against hypocrisy and for truth; against formality and for spirit and power.The several parts of the Gospel are against sin, as we shall show.1. The doctrinal part of the Gospel. This is the part which flesh and blood is inclinedto interpret as an encouragement to sin, and from which it takes occasion to abusethe Gospel:i. The doctrine of God's free and abounding grace (Romans 5.20-21). St. Paul hadtaught that where sin abounded grace did much more abound, and that grace didreign to eternal life. From this some are apt to take occasion to sin, as if they wereencouraged to do so by grace (Romans 6.1). But with what detestation andabhorrence the Apostle speaks against it! Shall we sin either because graceabounds or that grace may abound! God forbid! And when men would do evil thatgood might come of it, he speaks like a son of thunder, and tells them that theirdamnation is just (Romans 3.8). St. Jude writes an epistle expressly against suchpeople as turn the grace of God into wantonness, thus perverting the end of grace.He calls them ungodly men, and men ordained to this condemnation (Jude 4).ii. The doctrine of redemption by the blood and death of Jesus Christ. Christ Jesusdied for our sins, and some wicked wretches are apt to conclude that they may livein sin because Christ has died for sin. But he died for sin that we might die to sin(Romans 6). He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify usto himself (Titus 2.14). The death of Christ calls for us to die to sin and to live tohim that died for us (2 Corinthians 5.15).iii. The doctrine of privileges is against sin. God has dignified his people and giventhem titles of honour compared with which the names of Caesar and Emperor arebut trifles. Behold, as a matter of wonder, what manner of love the Father hasbestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! (1 John 3.1). Andyou, says St. Peter of believers, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and,which is more glorious, a holy nation (1 Peter 2.9). Therefore, he says, abstainfrom fleshly lusts, and show forth the virtues and thus the praises of him who hascalled you out of your marveIlous darkness into his marvellous light.iv. The doctrine of judgment to come is against sin. Wicked men scoff at this (2Peter 3), and think that if they are let alone until that day, then they will do wellenough. But remember that for all things we must come to judgment, andtherefore learn to fear God and keep his commandments, as the wise man teaches83