========================================================================
  SHEEP OR SWINE?
  by Thomas Brooks
========================================================================

Summary: Christians can fall into sin despite their repentance due to
the weak and imperfect nature of their graces, but God will graciously
pardon those sins that are not totally subdued.

Topics: "Grace", "Struggle with Sin"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10, Romans 7:15, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Galatians 5:17, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 3:13-14, Hebrews 12:1, James 4:7, 2 Peter 2:22, 1 John 1:9

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the struggle Christians face with sin, noting
that even sincere repentance does not guarantee freedom from falling
back into the same sins due to the persistent nature of sin in the
heart. He reassures believers that while they may repeatedly stumble,
God's grace offers forgiveness and understanding, distinguishing between
those who fall due to weakness and those who revel in sin. Brooks
highlights the importance of recognizing the difference between a
repentant heart and a heart that delights in wrongdoing, urging
Christians to remain vigilant in their faith.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is possible for Christians to fall into the same sins of

which they have formerly repented--by the secret, subtle,

and strong workings of sin in their hearts. And no wonder,

for though their repentance is ever so sincere and sound

--yet their graces are but weak, and their mortification

of sin is imperfect in this life. Though by grace they are

freed from the dominion of sin, and from the damnatory

power of every sin, and from the love of all sin; yet grace

does not free them from the indwelling of any one sin.

Therefore it is possible for a Christian to fall again and

again into the same sin.

God will graciously pardon those sins to His people,

which He will not in this life totally subdue in His people.

I have never seen a promise in Scripture, which says that

when our sorrow and grief has been so great, or so much,

for this or that sin--that God will then preserve us from

ever falling into the same sin. The sight of such a promise

would be as life from the dead to many a precious soul,

who desires nothing more than to keep close to Christ,

and fears nothing more than backsliding from Christ.

Yet, there is a great difference between a sheep which by

weakness falls into the mire--and a swine which delights

to wallow in the mire! There is a great difference between

a woman who is raped, though she fights and cries out--

and an alluring adulteress!

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/sheep-or-swine/
========================================================================