The Best of Saints Are Sinners
The best of saints are sinners, but they do not indulge in sin or take pleasure in it, and instead, they hate all known sin and sincerely desire to be rid of it.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that even the best of saints are still sinners, but they do not indulge in or cherish sin as the unregenerate do. He illustrates the difference between sin in a regenerate person and sin in an unregenerate person, comparing it to poison in a man versus poison in a serpent. A godly man may struggle with many sins, but he does not have a beloved or cherished sin; instead, he is tormented by his sins and desires to be rid of them. Brooks encourages believers to recognize their struggle against sin and to seek God's help in overcoming it, as true Christians do not willingly submit to sin. Ultimately, he warns that those who habitually indulge in sin are in a state of spiritual danger.
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A child of God may slip into a sin--as a sheep may slip
into the mire. But he does not, and cannot wallow in
sin--as the swine wallows in the mire.
The best of saints are sinners, though the worst
and weakest of saints do not indulge sin or cherish it;
or make daily provision for it; or take daily pleasure
and delight in sin; or habitually yield a willing and
total subjection to the authority and commands of sin.
There is as much difference between sin in a regenerate
person--and sin in an unregenerate person, as there is
between poison in a man--and poison in a serpent.
Poison in a man is most offensive and burdensome, and
he readily uses all remedies and antidotes to expel it
and get rid of it. But poison in a serpent, is in its
natural place, and is most pleasing and delightful.
Just so, sin in a regenerate man is most offensive and
burdensome, and he readily uses all holy means and
antidotes to expel it and to get rid of it. But sin in an
unregenerate man is most pleasing and delightful, it
being in its natural place.
A godly man may have many sins--yet he has not
one beloved sin, one bosom sin, one darling sin.
His sins are his greatest grief and torment.
Every godly man . . .
hates all known sin,
would sincerely have his sins not only pardoned, but destroyed,
groans under the burden of sin,
combats and conflicts with all known sin,
has fixed purposes and designs not to sin,
has a sincere willingness to be rid of all sin.
No sincere Christian indulges himself in any
trade, course, or way of sin. "Oh," says the
gracious soul, "that I could be rid of . . .
this proud heart,
this hard heart,
this unbelieving heart,
this unclean heart,
this earthly heart,
this froward heart of mine!"
O sirs, this is most certain--whoever gives up himself
freely, willingly, cheerfully, habitually--to the service
of any one particular lust or sin--he is in the state of
nature, under wrath, and in the way to eternal ruin!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Nature of Sin in Believers
- A. Sin is a possibility for believers
- B. Sin is not a delight for believers
- C. Sin is a burden for believers
- II. The Difference Between Sin in Believers and Unbelievers
- A. Sin in believers is offensive and burdensome
- B. Sin in unbelievers is pleasing and delightful
- III. The Characteristics of Godly Men
- A. They hate all known sin
- B. They sincerely desire to be rid of sin
- C. They combat and conflict with sin
- IV. The Dangers of Indulging in Sin
- A. It leads to a state of nature and wrath
- B. It leads to eternal ruin
Key Quotes
“A child of God may slip into a sin--as a sheep may slip into the mire. But he does not, and cannot wallow in sin--as the swine wallows in the mire.” — Thomas Brooks
“Sin in an unregenerate man is most pleasing and delightful, it being in its natural place.” — Thomas Brooks
“Whoever gives up himself freely, willingly, cheerfully, habitually--to the service of any one particular lust or sin--he is in the state of nature, under wrath, and in the way to eternal ruin!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- As a believer, I must recognize that sin is a possibility for me, but I must not indulge in it or take pleasure in it.
- I must hate all known sin and sincerely desire to be rid of it.
- I must combat and conflict with sin in my life, and not give up to it freely, willingly, or cheerfully.