Sinning Is Worse Than Suffering
Sinning is worse than suffering because it dishonors God and interrupts our communion with Him.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that sinning is far worse than suffering, as sin dishonors God while suffering can glorify Him. He urges Christians to recognize the gravity of sin, which is the root of all grief, guilt, and separation from God. Brooks highlights that sin is the source of divine wrath and the cause of a troubled conscience, and he calls believers to actively resist and turn away from sin. He encourages the faithful to prioritize the battle against sin over the trials they face, asserting that a true believer would prefer to be free from sin than from suffering.
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Sinning is worse than suffering; for by men's sins
God is dishonored--but by their sufferings God is glorified.
Oh, that the Christian reader would seriously consider
of these things:
There is nothing that the great God hates--but sin.
There is nothing that God has revealed His wrath
from heaven against--but sin.
There is nothing that grieves the Spirit of grace--but sin.
There is nothing that wounds the conscience--but sin.
There is nothing that clouds the face of God--but sin.
There is nothing that interrupts our communion with
God--but sin.
There is nothing that embitters our mercies--but sin.
There is nothing that puts a sting into all our troubles
and trials--but sin.
And therefore under all your sorrows and sufferings,
crosses and losses--make it your great business . . .
to arm yourselves against sin,
and to pray against sin,
and to watch against sin,
and to turn from sin,
and to cease from sin,
and to get rid of sin,
and to stand forever in defiance of sin!
Assuredly every gracious heart had rather
be rid of his sins than of his sufferings!
Sermon Outline
- Sinning is worse than suffering points: - God is dishonored by sin, but glorified by suffering
- The nature of sin points: - God hates sin - God reveals His wrath against sin - The Spirit of grace is grieved by sin
- The effects of sin points: - Sin wounds the conscience - Sin clouds the face of God - Sin interrupts communion with God
- The importance of resisting sin points: - Arm yourselves against sin - Pray against sin - Watch against sin
Key Quotes
“There is nothing that the great God hates--but sin.” — Thomas Brooks
“There is nothing that God has revealed His wrath from heaven against--but sin.” — Thomas Brooks
“Assuredly every gracious heart had rather be rid of his sins than of his sufferings!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should prioritize resisting sin in our lives.
- Our communion with God is interrupted by sin, and we should seek to restore it.
- A gracious heart would rather be rid of its sins than its sufferings.