Sinners' hearts are so glued to their lusts, that they will rather part with their nearest, dearest, and choicest enjoyments than part with their sins! Yes, they will rather part with God, Christ, and all the glory of Heaven than they will part with some darling lust!
The first work of the Spirit upon the soul, is to make a man look upon sin as an enemy, deal with sin as an enemy, loathe sin as an enemy, fear sin as an enemy, and fight against sin as an enemy. Of all the vile things in the world, sin is the most defiling thing. Sin makes us red with guilt, and black with filth.
Inward corruptions grieve the gracious soul. "Oh," says the gracious soul, "that I were but rid of this proud heart, this hard heart, this unbelieving heart, this filthy heart, this rebellious heart, this earthly heart of mine!"
The Christian has a sincere willingness to be rid of all sin. The enmity which grace works in the heart, is against all sin: profitable sins, pleasurable sins, secret sins, disgracing sins, darling sins, small sins, great sins.
It is certain that sin is more afflictive to a gracious soul, than all the losses, crosses, troubles, and trials that he meets with in the world.
True grace would not have one Canaanite left in the holy land. He would have every Egyptian drowned in the red sea of Christ's blood!
Saving grace makes a man as willing to leave his beloved lusts, as a slave is willing to leave his chains, or a prisoner longs to leave his dungeon, or a beggar desires to leave his rags.
A sincere heart had much rather be rid of his sins, than of his sufferings. Yes, he would rather be rid the least sins, than of the greatest sufferings.
[Thomas Brooks]
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John 16:8 … And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Psalm 139:24 … And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Romans 12:9 … Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.❤
