The perfection of our obedience in the sight of our heavenly
Father lies not so much in _attainment_ as in _endeavour_. Reserves
spoil obedience. We may be dealing honestly with Sin that is
seen outwardly, and yet not skilfully and effectually, because
of not striking at the deep roots of evil within.
God indeed, as our Father in Christ Jesus, does not blame us
for Indwelling Sin; but He does require that we should contend
against it.
It is one thing to be blameless before men, and another to be
aiming at that perfect obedience which Christ rendered to the
Father: "I do always those things that please Him."
The first sign of spiritual life in the soul is generally the
cry of distress from the sight of that which never gave trouble
before—the pollution of Sin. The mere natural man may dread
the punishment of Sin, its uncleanness he cannot feel, he cannot
discern.
David said, "Horror hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked
that forsake Thy law." If we be spiritually-minded, we shall
in like manner mourn over the unregenerate. Lot did not apprehend
as did Abraham the state of Sodom, because, without God's leading,
he was in it, and, alas! too much of it.
God would ever have us regard Sin in its pollution and guilt,
and deal with it as done against Him. (Ps. 51:4.)
Those who deny the Godhead of Christ, and atonement by His blood,
know not their sickness; and such need not the Physician that
God hath sent, nor the remedy that God hath provided.
It is a great principle of God's government, that a sin not repented
of becomes a seed which greatly multiplies.
The slack conscience that questions the everlasting punishment
of the ungodly, betrays the soul's neglect of solemn dealing
with the death of the Son of God on the tree, and of the testimonies
of the scriptures thereto.
Sin does not lie in being tempted, but in not resisting temptation.
The Lord Jesus Himself was tempted, and, because of His holiness,
suffered pain unspeakable, yet could not be defiled. So far as
we have His mind, we, His members, suffer pain in temptation;
and the greater the pain of the soul the less the defilement.
How precious the words of Rom. 6:10.11! "In that He died, He died
unto Sin once... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves." "He liveth
unto God." We with Him live to God. He died to Sin by dying for
Sin. It was once imputed to Him. He put it away by the sacrifice
of Himself; and now, with the glory of His atonement, lives at
the right hand of God. The poor and needy one, by faith in the
Son of God, is _in_ Christ _as_ Christ in God's sight. Is no
Sin now imputed to Christ? -so none to the believer. Is Christ,
with the glory of His atonement, accepted of God? -so the believer.
The apprehending by faith these great things is the true way
of mortifying Sin. "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for
ye are not under the law, but under grace" (v. 14).
The sinner thinks to improve himself by lopping off this or that
branch of his Sin; knows not that thereby he does but nourish
the evil root.
The greater power we have over Sin, the more intolerable do we
feel the burden of it, and the more earnestly do we seek the
cleansing of that blood which purges the conscience from its
defilement.
Let us not be discouraged by any humiliating discoveries we may
make of the evils of our hearts. God knows them all, and has
provided the blood of Jesus Christ His Son to cleanse us from
all sin.
God regards our Sins with the heart of a father, but not with
the eye of a judge; for his sin-avenging justice has no further
demands: the cross made satisfaction.
The imaginations of man's heart are only evil continually. Oh
to come to close quarters with this truth! to be willing to be
judged by it! There must be something more than man's own will
for this; there must be the working of the Spirit of God.
We little know the deep mysteries of the human heart: it is because
of our deep sin and pride that we bear correction with so much
impatience; but if we had a dangerous malady, and knew it, we
should not complain of the bitter taste and troublesome effects
of the medicine given us to heal our disease.
Romans 8:13.14. _One_ blow will sometimes take the life of the
body; but to mortify sin we must be _always_ striking, because
Sin is always struggling.
If we contend with Sin, be assured that we shall be victorious
sooner or later: there is not a single sin but the defiling power
thereof may be subdued. (1 John 1:7.)
The so-called innocent amusements of the world are only contrivances
to forget God.
It is the nature of Sin to obtain great power by little beginnings.