p. 275 | Sin and Its Remedy by G. D. Ballou

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 13, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 18.

Sin and Its Remedy.

By G. D. Ballou

SIN is the transgression of God's law. 1 John 3:4. It is ungrateful, mean, base, rebellious. It is unmerciful, relentless, hard-hearted, stubborn. It is cold, selfish, unreasonable, deceitful, cruel. It brings condemnation, degradation, sorrow, remorse, anguish of spirit, and pain. It destroys self-respect, creates distrust of our fellow-men, and separates us from God. It has taken peace, joy, love, virtue, and goodness away from earth, and brought corruption and every vile, hateful thing in their stead. It has made righteousness a stranger, and justice a wayfarer, on earth. It has involved mankind in the most abject slavery, and robbed him of all the pleasures that would have come as the result of innocence and purity. It blights every fair prospect, and blasts every precious earthly hope. It has filled earth with mourning and sadness, and turned the world into one vast charnel house.

It is expensive. It costs a life-time of labor and sorrow, and brings its victims down to death at last. It has cost the sufferings and death of the Son of God, and filled Heaven with weeping for human woe. All the labor and perplexity of this mortal state are due to sin. The employments of earth, before sin entered, were without sorrow or wearing care, and were of such a character as not to be expressed by the terms such as we now use in speaking of labor. There were joy and gladness in every action. Like the promised future state they could "run and not be weary, and walk and not faint."

Sin is a most hideous monster, hateful alike to God and all the reasonable creatures in his universe to whom its true character has been revealed. It is to be despised, shunned, resisted, cast out, and trampled under foot. He who engages in the business of sin reaps a sure recompense; but it will be a bitter one, for "the wages of sin is death,"—the second death,—for "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." "This is the second death." Rev. 20:15, 14.

There is but one way of escape from the condemnation of the broken law here, and the final future consequences; and that is through the merits of Christ's work in our behalf. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18. If we accept the conditions of the new covenant, God will write his law upon our hearts, and our sins and iniquities he will remember no more. Heb. 8:12.

Who does not purpose to be clear of sin and its dire consequences? Do not wait until some irresistible feeling impels you to flee from the bondage of sin, but go at the dictates of your better judgment, and with child-like faith in God ask him for Jesus's sake to forgive your sins and impart strength for the work of overcoming. If you have failed in former efforts, block the wheels behind by confessing to your fellow-men the wrongs done them, and then set out to labor earnestly for the spiritual welfare of perishing men. Lack of spiritual efforts for others is a sure means of spiritual suicide. The hope of the glorious future should be bright in our minds in order that we may have strong faith and courage in the work. There is the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" in this life for the faithful child of God, and for the future a home in the everlasting kingdom of God beyond the reach of sin and all its fearful consequences.

Beware "lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." The way may look pleasant and prosperous, and may promise much in the way of carnal gratification. You will not be tempted at first to commit a great sin: only just a little deviation from God's way, only a little self-gratification is demanded. If the heart yields then the hardening process begins. When self comes in before God, the first command is broken, and then the growth of sin is rapid unless arrested by some merciful providence of God. Sin is only selfishness gone to seed. It begins with having our own way instead of God's way. It continues in following the carnal emotions and feelings instead of having the word of God as an inward monitor. Beware of the first approach of sin. Abhor it. Flee from it as from a venomous reptile. Avoid the highways where sin travels, and shun her secret paths. There is evil and ruin lurking at every step, and "the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 16:25. G. D. Ballou.