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  COMMON GRACE
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Sanctified people hate sin because of its defiling nature,
while unsanctified people hate it because of its consequences.

Topics: "Grace", "Sin and Holiness"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:4, Proverbs 8:13, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Galatians 5:17, Ephesians 4:30, Hebrews 10:26-27, James 1:15, 1 John 1:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between common grace and
renewing grace in relation to sin. He explains that common grace leads
individuals to fear the consequences of sin, such as hell and judgment,
rather than recognizing the inherent evil and offense of sin against
God. A sanctified heart detests sin for its defiling nature and its
offense to God's holiness, while an unsanctified heart is primarily
concerned with the personal repercussions of sin. Brooks illustrates
that true hatred of sin arises from a love for God and His
righteousness, rather than fear of punishment.

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CONTENT
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Common grace never works a man thus to fear sin--but renewing grace
does. Common convictions carry the soul out to look more on the evil
which follows sin, rather than on the evil which is in sin.

And hence it comes to pass, that souls under common convictions are more
affected and afflicted at the fear of hell and dread of wrath and
damnation--than they are affected or afflicted at the vileness,
odiousness, and heinous nature of sin.

When an unsanctified person is angry with sin, and chides sin, and
fights with sin, and makes some headway against sin--it is either
because it has cracked his credit, or clouded his honor, or hindered his
profit, or embittered his pleasure, or provoked his friends, or incensed
the magistrate, or enraged his conscience, or exposed him to shame,
disgrace, or contempt here--and hell hereafter. But never because a holy
God is dishonored, a righteous law transgressed, a blessed Savior
crucified, or the blessed Spirit greatly grieved.

The child will not touch the coal because it will burn him, and the
prudent man will not touch the coal because it will smut him. A gracious
heart rises against sin because of its defiling and polluting nature--
but an unsanctified heart rises against sin because of its burning and
damning nature. A sanctified person hates sin, because it pollutes his
soul--but an unsanctified person hates it because it destroys his soul.
A sanctified person loathes sin, and abhors sin--because it fights
against God's holiness. But an unsanctified person loathes sin, and
abhors it, because it provokes and stirs up God's justice. A sanctified
person detests sin, because of the hell that is in sin. But an
unsanctified person detests sin, because of the hell that follows sin,
etc.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/common-grace/
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