This is too good not to post. This is from Spurgeon’s sermon, ‘Pride Catechized’ which can be read in it’s entirety here…
“Moreover, he requires the giving up of all known sin, the hating of all sin, and the objector says, “But may I not retain my one darling sin? May I not keep my pet evil? I will give up all else, but that one I must have.” And when men are told that, wherever Christ comes, he makes a radical change, he casts out Satan and all his imps, drives them out by main force, and takes complete possession of the soul,—they bar the door of their heart against the Saviour, for they do not want such strong measures as his in their case.Well, sirs, as you say that Christ’s requirements are not according to your mind, what would you like them to be? Do you wish to be allowed to continue taking what you call your little drop, which is powerful enough to make you reel across the street? Then there is somebody over yonder who would like to keep his adulteries, and another who would like to keep his petty thefts, and another who would like to keep on with his swearing, and another who would like to retain his covetousness, so that he could still grind the poor to powder, and make money by crushing them, What sin is there, in the whole world, that would be put to death if men were left to pick and choose the Agag which each one wished to save? No; Christ came to save his people from their sins,—not in them; and it is essential to salvation that sin should be repented of, and, being repented of, should be renounced, and that, by the help of God, we should lead a new life, under a new Master, serving from a new motive, because the grace of God has renewed our spirit.”
Pilgrim
thejunglemissionary
Bill
Manfred
abidingthroughgrace
Chris Hohnholz
are you looking for answers to my questions? cuz if you are – thanks!
Spurgeon would not be welcomed in most churches – as with the Truth of Scripture being not welcomed; most folks want “God is love” but nothing else.
“Then there is somebody over yonder who would like to keep his adulteries, and another who would like to keep his petty thefts, and another who would like to keep on with his swearing, and another who would like to retain his covetousness”
All too often I find myself in one of these camps, reminding me how precious is the life of Christ – without sin – and how needful I am daily of His redeeming grace. Not a single bit of good did He find in me, nor could He ever. All this is worthy of anything is Christ in me, in spite of myself and not because of me.
Christ is the victory!
I’m in the glass house throwing stones here, so I couldn’t help but notice Spurgeon’s list–the alcoholic, the adulterer, the thief, the one swearing, the coveter. But pray, tell me–is there **room** for the over-eater on Spurgeon’s list? Ah, but perhaps that would have struck a little too close to home.
If Spurgeon truly felt “it is essential to salvation that sin should be repented of, and, being repented of, should be renounced,” then what of his own salvation? And what of the rest of us? Granted, we are commanded by Jesus to be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect. That is the ideal for His children. But which of us has reached that ideal? Indeed, the reality of everyday Christian experience seems to have the Lord’s own brother, James, say to his Christian brothers: “We all offend in many ways.” Present tense. Present experience. The present pathos.
Daniel,
Regarding the command for us to be perfect, my elders recently taught us that this perfection can only come if we are Christ and He is in us. It is His perfection that we claim, not the product of our ultimate sanctification.
We as flesh and blood do indeed – as did Spurgeon – offend in many ways.
Praise God we are left to our own devices!