SIN IS SIN by Rev. C. Spurgeon

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14.

SIN IS SIN.

By Rev. C. Spurgeon

BY REV. C. SPURGEON.

SIN is a fact. The popular estimate of sin, however, does not coincide with the Bible view. There is a vast amount of jugglery with words over this as well as over other matters of grave importance, until some unsuspicious folks, who, judging the subject as serious, cannot for one moment credit the fact that it is trifled with, are led to believe there is virtue in vice. The necromancy of the present day is so skillful that the black of our forefathers goes for white with their grandchildren. Sin even uses its deceptions upon itself and impersonates the Christ.

By a strange twist a lie becomes the truth, and the fiend of the pit "an angel of light." Moral lepers are counted clean, and fallen men and women are looked upon as paragons of perfection. Carrion crows are doves, and sparrows are painted like canaries. Fair names, like the rouge on the harlot's face, make sin appear healthy, but its Jezebel nature remains unchanged. Civilization may dress "the workers of iniquity" in fashionable attire, and education train criminals to good manners; but neither can make sin in its essence less sinful. The fountain is polluted, and while the source is vile the streams must of necessity be foul. There are whole broods of vices caged within the heart. Dislocation has come upon the symmetry of a nature once perfect, and an utter collapse has ensued. But men will not believe this against themselves. Thus it comes about that crime is at a premium, and he who indulges most finds court with many who otherwise would taboo him. Alas, that the assassin of the Saviour has of late become the confrère of his accredited disciples, and the murderer of Jesus the friend of those who profess to revere the Crucified!

God has called it "an abominable thing," and all the ingenuity of human metamorphosis cannot change the evil into good. The immaculate mantle woven by the newly fallen snow may cover a dust heap, but it cannot convert it into a mound of diamonds. The refuse will remain such, and its vileness will be the more apparent when the sunshine has melted its coverlet. The scorching wrath of God will soon evaporate the superpose of worldly compliment, and the reeking feculence of sin will be the more obnoxious. Let the pulpit be true in unmasking the highwayman of the heart, and exposing the real nature of this robber of our eternal inheritance. Some preachers need to be reminded that the ages have not lessened its virulence, but the added years have rather increased the acrimony of its malevolence. Give no quarter to such a knave, but smite him hip and thigh. Whether your weapon be battle-ax or sledge hammer, hit hard at sin and deal lusty blows with the hammer of God's word at every iniquity.—Christian Inquirer.