Getting Rid of Sin by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

Getting Rid of Sin

By F. M. W.

CHRIST came into the world, not to save people in their sins, but to save them from sin. Upon as many as receive him he bestows power “to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” The reception of Christ involves the work of repentance. In response to those who were pricked in their hearts on the day of Pentecost, and desired to know what they should do to be saved, Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Repentance embraces sorrow for sin and a turning away from sin. The Scriptures of truth recognize two kinds of sorrow, one a worldly, policy sorrow, and the other godly sorrow, which deeply regrets the sin, and with fear and vehement desire turns from it. 2 Cor. 7: 10, 11.

Godly sorrow will lead to the confession of the wrong-doing. Indeed, this is the only divinely provided means whereby the soul may rid itself of sin. Declares the Scripture: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” This is heaven’s appointed way. There are no exceptions to the rule. The king on his throne, the serf in the field, must rid themselves of iniquity in precisely the same way. The minister of Christ must get rid of his sin in precisely the same way as those to whom he preaches. God does not have one way for the pulpit and another way for the pew. Official position makes no difference in the sight of God. All have sinned and come short of his glory; and every soul, irrespective of his name or position in the world or in the church, must come to God in the divinely appointed way if he would get out from under the pall of condemnation.

There must come into the lives of many of God’s professed children a spirit to rid themselves of sin,—such a spirit as they have never manifested before. They must dig down deep to the very roots of cherished iniquity, confess it to God or to their fellows as the circumstances may demand, and then forever put from them that which has cursed their Christian experience. Such will not employ general terms in their confession, but will deal with the specific besetments which have dragged them downward. It is high time that this work was undertaken by every needy soul. These are days of peril. It is time that every soul should find out how he stands with God.

The promised mercy which God will bestow upon the penitent is that of his own blessed pardon and forgiveness. Says the apostle, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Declares the patriarch Job, “He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.”

It is the privilege of every child of God to rejoice in the blessing and pardon which come through the forgiveness of transgression. By faith in the divine promise we may look up and know that through the unmerited grace of Christ our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and that we are recognized as the children of the Highest. Let us comply with the conditions laid down; let us turn away from sin; let us forsake it forever, placing ourselves without reserve upon the altar of consecration, and accepting the freedom and peace which the blessed Master stands ready to bestow upon his loved ones. F. M. W.