A Strong Warning

One of the books I'm reading right now is a collection of sermons from the 18th century pastor Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen. He was a pastor in the Netherlands and was called to serve several churches in Raritan, NJ. In a sermon titled "The Miserable End of the Ungodly"  he had this to say about sin:

"For however plausible it may sometimes appear, sin is nothing but deformity. Its origin is the devil. He that sinneth "is of the devil." Sin exhibits Satan's character, bears his image, and is the fruit of darkness. 

Sin scorns God's majesty and is contrary to His holiness. It despises His goodness, denies His authority, questions His omniscience, and resents His justice. In a word, sin hates God and merits eternal condemnation. It is impossible to see sin as an abomination and a deformity without regarding it with hatred."

With language that is strong and sounds particularly harsh to our 21st century ears Frelinghuysen's goal is two-fold. First, he desires for Christians to clearly see what they have been saved from as they came to faith in Christ, as well as to strengthen them for the daily struggle with sin that still continues in their lives. And second, he paints a powerful picture of the truth of sin for the benefit of unbelievers, so that they may respond to the call to turn to the Lord Jesus as their only hope from the eternal damnation that will otherwise be certain.

The curious thing is that Frelinghuysen's description of sin is nearly 300 years-old, but it remains 100% the truth. For comparison the theological dictionary on my desk says this of sin:

"Theologically, sin is the human condition of separation from God that arises from opposition to God's purposes. It may be breaking God's law, failing to do what God wills, or rebellion. It needs forgiveness."

In all fairness there is a difference in purpose between a dictionary and a preacher in the pulpit, and it would appear the Frelinghuysen has merely given expansion and emphasis to what the dictionary describes.

Frelinghuysen's warning is strong, but it warms my heart. It's language helps me to see more clearly the danger to my soul from which my Savior and Lord has rescued me, and it urges me to be in prayer for those whom I preach to, that they may also be rescued.

Our culture may be 300 years down the road from Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen but the same danger is just as real today as it has been throughout human history. May you see the danger and seek refuge in Jesus, our only hope.