Smothering Sin by John N. Quinn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1911

Smothering Sin

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN

Many times have I stood before the open door of a blacksmith’s shop, intently watching the smith while he hammered the “heat” into the desired shape. At times more than one heat was necessary before the correct form could be given to the iron. Then as it met the mind of the smith, he suddenly plunged the iron into a tub of oil placed near the anvil. There was a blaze; but when the proper temper had been given to the iron, with a leather apron the flames were smothered.

We are admonished not to regard as strange things the fiery trials which come upon us. God has a purpose in them all. He is at work forming us, fashioning us into the image of the divine, which image he desires us to retain. He weighs every trial. At times we grow impatient and fretful; occasionally sin blazes out in the life. When we acknowledge our failures, then God covers us with the robe of his righteousness, and sin is smothered. Here is where many fail, in not accepting the righteousness of Christ. The longer we stay away from Christ, the fiercer becomes the conflagration; sin is added to sin, until the life is ruined. One faggot will not make much of a blaze, but faggot added to faggot will result in a bonfire. Sin consumes the character; God’s righteousness preserves.