The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningus (Ecclesiastes 12.13,14). Speaking of the day of judgment, the Apostle says:'Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men' (2 Corinthians 5.11); wepersuade them, not to sin, but to live in righteousness and holiness. Seeing thismust be, what manner of persons should we be in all holy conversations andgodlinesses! (for the Greek is plural). We must take heed not to fall into the errorsof the wicked but to grow in grace, as St. Peter concludes (2 Peter 3.11,17,18).Thus all the doctrines of the Bible from the beginning of Genesis to the end ofRevelation are a continual preaching and witnessing against sin.2. The mandatory part of the Gospel witnesses against sin. By this we mean thecommanding and exhorting part of the Gospel. What are men commanded andexhorted to do but to serve God in righteousness and true holiness all the days oftheir lives? To depart from iniquity, as from the way to Hell, and to walk holily inChrist Jesus, as in the way to Heaven? Indeed God condescends so far as toimplore men to be reconciled that they may be happy (2 Corinthians 5.20). Whatdoes this show but that sin is both displeasing to God and destructive to man? Thatis, it is sinful sin.3. The promising part of the Gospel is against sin. God has given to us exceedinggreat (in the Greek, the greatest) and precious promises, that by these we mightescape the pollutions of the world through lust, and be made partakers of a divinenature (2 Peter 1.4); and that, having these promises, we should cleanse ourselvesfrom all filthiness of flesh and spirit, to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2Corinthians 7.1). Promises of good are against the evil of sin.4. The menacing and threatening part of the Gospel is against sin. God threatensbefore men sin that they may not sin, and he threatens after men have sinned thatthey may repent of sin. Not only the law, but the Gospel also threatens sinners,and with no less than damnation (Mark 11.16). When any have sinned, Godthreatens the execution of threatenings if they do not repent (Revelation2.5,16,22; 3.3,19). This also witnesses against sin.5. The exemplary part of the Gospel witnesses against sin. The examples recordedin the Gospel, as are those in the Old Testament, are registered as witnessesagainst sin. The examples of good men and good things are set up as signposts toshow us what to avoid. The good examples are given that we may not sin byomission of good (Hebrews 12.1); the bad that we may not sin by commission ofevil (1 Corinthians 10.6-11) Abraham's faith, Moses' meekness, and Job's patienceare examples for us to follow. We should tread in their steps. On the other hand,Ananias and Sapphira's lying, Judas's covetousness and apostasy, and similarcases, are written for our example, that we might hear and fear and not do sowickedly.6. The experimental part of the Gospel witnesses against sin. Any experiences thatmen have had of God's goodness, and of their own deceitful and evil hearts, andwhat they have suffered by sin, all bear witness against sin. Has God been good inthis and that way, and are you so foolish as to requite the Lord evil for hisgoodness, which should have led you unto repentance (Deuteronomy 32.6)? Godwas angry with Solomon because he departed from the Lord God of Israel who hadappeared to him twice (1 Kings 11.9). We should draw inferences as Ezra did:84