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  ASK WHAT YOU WILL, O CHRISTIAN
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A gracious Christian's desire to be rid of sin is a fundamental
aspect of their spiritual journey, and it is a desire that should be
deeply felt and pursued.

Topics: "Cleansing", "Holiness", "Sin"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:2, Psalm 119:11, Romans 6:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:24, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 12:1, James 4:7, 1 John 1:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the deep desire of a gracious Christian to be
freed from sin, illustrating that when given the opportunity to ask
anything from the Lord, the true longing is for the cleansing of
iniquities and the mortification of corruptions. He compares this
yearning to a sick man wanting to be rid of his disease, highlighting
that the earnest desire for holiness surpasses any inclination to
indulge in sin. Brooks passionately calls for the drowning of sinful
desires in the blood of Christ, underscoring the urgency and necessity
of spiritual cleansing.

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CONTENT
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"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."

Psalm 51:2

If the Lord should say to a gracious Christian, "Ask what

you will, O Christian--and it shall be granted to you."

The answer would be: "Lord, rid me of my sins! Lord, take

away my iniquities! Lord, mortify my corruptions! Lord,

whoever lives, let these lusts die! Lord, drown these

Egyptians in the sea of your Son's blood, who have so

violently and unweariedly pursued after the blood of my

precious soul! Lord, kill and crucify all these sinful evils

that have killed and crucified the Lord of life and glory!

Lord, my carnal reason, and flesh and blood, would gladly

have such and such pleasurable sins, and such and such

profitable sins, indulged and spared. But, Lord, the earnest,

the ardent desires of my soul are that I may be rid of them!"

And thus every gracious soul is more willing to be rid of

his sins--than he is to keep his sins.

A sick man is not more willing to be rid of his disease,

nor a beggar of his nasty lousy rags, nor a prisoner

of his chains--than a gracious soul is willing to be rid

of his lusts!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/ask-what-you-will-o-christian/
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