There is a mysterious wisdom in the way of God with his
people—to whom he grants to know but in part, and to be renewed but in part.
Were they, while here, wholly delivered from sin, and had the unclouded
vision of his glorious face, and full communion with God—there would be
nothing reserved for the day of glory. It is with them, therefore, as with
ancient Israel, among whom God wisely left some of the heathen nations
undestroyed—to excite their faith, and stir up their endeavors to extirpate
them, and to be a means of preserving them from sinning with security and
impunity.
Now, God has promised to subdue all our sins, and so he
does—that they shall never condemn us. But such is the corruption of nature,
which is sanctified but in part, and of creatures who know but in part, that
it is rare to be holy and humble, to be full of God, and empty of ourselves.
Even the great apostle Paul, after he had been with God, in a special
manner, and seen unutterable glories in the highest heavens—had a messenger
of Satan sent to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure with
the divine vision. A humbling change this! to come from heaven—to combat
with hell!
Our very critical situation in this world should keep us
humble. Corrupt nature, like weeds among flowers, is ready to spring up with
every refreshing shower of grace—if not into acts of sin, yet into
pride, self-conceit, and security. When we see things above us, we are
ready, through the mists of remaining corruption, to forget ourselves—and
provoke God to show ourselves unto ourselves, that we may not be puffed up
with ourselves. For to the high and lofty One, who delights to dwell with
the humble, nothing is more abominable than pride, and no pride more odious
to him than spiritual pride. The soldier that is no match for his enemies
will always keep in the camp, and under protection of his general; so the
believer must dwell by faith, if he would be secure, under the shadow of the
Almighty.
But it is impossible for us to be delivered wholly
from indwelling sin in this world. For,
1. This would be turning earth into heaven, grace into
glory, and time into eternity—before the great day of judgment. We must not
be crowned with victory until we come off the field of battle; and this we
cannot leave until our enemies are subdued before us, or we taken hence in
triumph from them. We are still in the dominions of him who is the god of
this world, in the territories of the prince of the power of the air; and he
will always be seeking whom he may devour—until the God of peace bruises
Satan under our feet—until the old serpent is eternally bound, and cast into
the burning lake.
2. Were there no indwelling sin, no remains of corruption
in the justified, sanctification could not be progressive. But here "the
path of the just is like the shining light, that shines more and more unto
the perfect day."
3. Were saints from the first moment of their conversion
set free from all sin, where would the divine victories of all-triumphant
grace be—by which God is glorified, and the saints prepared for the better
inheritance? Had not an enemy, and a giant too, defiled the armies of
Israel, the power and goodness of God could not have been displayed in
killing him. So the divinity of grace, in babes of the heavenly family,
shines in this—that they are enabled to resist temptations from the same
deceiving serpent who beguiled our first parents in the state of innocence;
that they are enabled to wrestle, not against flesh and blood—but against
principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
and against spiritual wickedness in high places.
4. Were the case so with the saints, the book of life
would in effect, be laid open to the eyes of men, who would foresee the
judgment which belongs to God alone. But indwelling sin, though subdued, is
not slain, and therefore breaks out in such a manner, even sometimes in
eminent saints, as gives the enemy occasion to reproach; and also makes them
doubt of their own state themselves—until God deals again with them after
his loving-kindness and tender mercies. Now, in the eyes of the poor
penitent—a compassionate, returning, and forgiving God—is dear, beloved, and
amiable beyond expression, and divine things shine with an additional
luster. Thus, even indwelling sin, contrary to its own nature, advances the
glory of God, and the good of the soul.
5. Indwelling sin, or the remains of corruption in the
greatest saints, makes them sympathize with others. They are men, and not
angels; so that they are to remember, not only those who suffer
affliction—but those who are overtaken with a fault, as being yet in the
body. Yes what comfort would it be to poor sinners, if salvation were
preached to them by any other than men of like natures, like infirmities,
and like passions with themselves? How is our consolation heightened to hear
them speak from experience, as Paul: "I do not understand what I am doing,
because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate"—in
comparison of angelic harangues on the beauty and excellency of perfection
and innocence!
6. Indwelling sin keeps us humble and watchful; makes us
cleave more closely to Christ; makes us endeavor to make our calling and
election sure; excites us to work while the day lasts, before the night
shall come, wherein no man can work.
7. Indwelling sin makes us go entirely out of ourselves
into Christ, and ascribe the whole of our salvation to free grace.
8. Thereby we learn the goodness of God in making his
grace sufficient for us, and his strength perfect in weakness. Also, we are
filled with wonder at the riches of his grace—who is glorified to the
highest in his patience towards offending sons, and his repeated pardons of
their daily sins.
Lastly, It makes, at least should make, us long much
for that day when sin shall cease, and imperfection be swallowed up of
permanent likeness to the divine image—when all our failings shall pass
away, while we are lost in the overflowings of divine glory, and replenished
with all in the fullness of God, fixed n a state from which we cannot
fall—and satiated with eternal pleasures!