Sin: What’s the Big Deal? (Part 2)
The message this last Sunday by Howard Varnedoe was excellent! Using Hebrews 12:1-2 as his main text, Howard explained what it means to “look to Jesus” each and every day. One truth that hit me harder than it ever has before was this: my greatest problem is my sin. It isn’t my circumstances or trials. It isn’t figuring out what the future holds. It isn’t attempting to overcome a financial or vocational challenge. Sin is my greatest enemy. Is sin killing me or am I killing it?
Here’s a quote to chew on from The Mortification of Sin. John Owen says we are to bring our sin to the gospel
Similarly, Howard exhorted us to go to the cross first to know our sin. As Thomas Watson says in The Doctrine of Repentance (which Howard quoted in his message), “The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ.” May my sin grow more bitter to me, that I might savor Christ all the more!
Here’s a quote to chew on from The Mortification of Sin. John Owen says we are to bring our sin to the gospel
— not [first] for relief, but for farther conviction of its guilt; look on Him whom thou hast pierced, and be in bitterness. Say to thy soul, “What have I done? What love, what mercy, what blood, what grace have I despised and trampled on! Is this the return I make to the Father for his love, to the Son for his blood, to the Holy Ghost for his grace? Do I thus requite the Lord? Have I defiled the heart that Christ died to wash, that the blessed Spirit hath chosen to dwell in? And can I keep myself out of the dust? What can I say to the dear Lord Jesus? How shall I hold up my head with any boldness before him? Do I account communion with him of so little value, that for this vile lust’s sake I have scarce left him any room in my heart? How shall I escape if I neglect so great salvation? In the meantime, what shall I say to the Lord? Love, mercy, grace, goodness, peace, joy, consolation, -- I have despised them all, and esteemed them as a thing of nought, that I might harbour a lust in my heart. Have I obtained a view of God’s fatherly countenance, that I might behold his face and provoke him to his face? Was my soul washed, that room might be made for new defilements? Shall I endeavour to disappoint the end of the death of Christ? Shall I daily grieve that Spirit whereby I am sealed to the day of redemption?” Entertain thy conscience daily with this treaty. See if it can stand before this aggravation of its guilt. If this make it not sink in some measure and melt, I fear thy case is dangerous.
Similarly, Howard exhorted us to go to the cross first to know our sin. As Thomas Watson says in The Doctrine of Repentance (which Howard quoted in his message), “The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ.” May my sin grow more bitter to me, that I might savor Christ all the more!