A Cleaner Way to Hell
Relying on our good works and trusting in our own righteousness can lead to a false sense of security and ultimately ruin our souls, but taking sanctuary in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the free grace of God can save us.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the danger of relying on our good works for salvation, warning that while duties are important, they can lead to pride and self-reliance. He cites the wisdom of Luther, urging believers to be cautious not only of their sins but also of their good deeds, which can become a false source of security. Brooks argues that trusting in one's own righteousness is as perilous as open wickedness, leading to spiritual ruin. He calls for a complete renunciation of self-righteousness and a reliance solely on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the grace of God.
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It was the saying of a precious saint--that he was more
afraid of his duties than of his sins; for his duties often
made him proud--but his sins always made him humble.
It was good counsel Luther gave, "We must take heed
not only of our sins--but of our good works."
Duties can never have too much diligence used about
them--nor too little confidence placed in them. They are
good helps--but bad saviors. It is necessary we do them
--but it is dangerous to rely upon them. If the devil cannot
dissuade us from performing pious duties--then his next
work will be to persuade us to rely upon them, to make
saviors of them; because this will as certainly ruin our
souls, as if we had wholly neglected them.
Resting in your own righteousness, will as certainly and
eternally undo you--as the greatest and foulest atrocities!
Open wickedness slays her thousands--but a secret
resting upon duties, slays her ten thousands!
Open profaneness is the broad dirty way which leads
to hell; but trusting in pious duties is as sure a way,
though a cleaner way to hell. Ungodly people and
formal professors shall meet at last in the same hell.
Now, let all these things work you to renounce your own
righteousness--and to take sanctuary alone in the pure,
perfect, and most glorious righteousness of Jesus Christ,
and in the free grace of God.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Relying on Duties
- The Importance of Diligence in Duties
- The Dangers of Resting in Righteousness
- Resting in righteousness leads to ruin
- Secretly trusting in duties is a cleaner way to hell
Key Quotes
“We must take heed not only of our sins--but of our good works.” — Thomas Brooks
“Resting in your own righteousness, will as certainly and eternally undo you--as the greatest and foulest atrocities!” — Thomas Brooks
“Open wickedness slays her thousands--but a secret resting upon duties, slays her ten thousands!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must be diligent in our duties, but not rely on them for salvation.
- We must take heed not only of our sins, but also of our good works.
- We must take sanctuary in the pure, perfect, and most glorious righteousness of Jesus Christ, and in the free grace of God.