Sin and Grace Cannot Agree
To achieve peace, we must cast out sin and live a holy life, pleasing to God.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that sin and grace are fundamentally incompatible, much like fire and water, and that true peace cannot exist where sin is present. He asserts that the path to genuine happiness and peace lies in holiness and sanctification, which is achieved through the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Spurgeon encourages believers to cast out sin to experience true peace and to live a life that is pleasing to God, as only then can the inner calm and quiet conscience be attained.
Text
Sin and grace can no more agree than fire and water. Even the God of peace never tries to establish a peace between good and evil, for it would be monstrous even if it were possible. The way to peace is the way of holiness. Cast out sin, and you cast out contention. Subdue iniquity, and peace wins the victory.
Beloved, it is of no use for us to seek happiness of life except by the way of holiness of conversation*. I have already declared that we have peace with God through the atoning work of our Lord Jesus Christ; but for deep calm of heart and quiet of conscience there must be a work of sanctification within us wrought by the power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Sin is our enemy, and the new life within us is heartily at enmity with evil, and therefore peace can never be proclaimed in the triple kingdom of our nature until we always do that which is well pleasing in the sight of the Lord, through Jesus Christ.
* - In modern English the old word "conversation" means "life" or "lifestyle."
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "The God Of Peace And Our Sanctification," delivered August 5, 1877.
Sermon Outline
- Sin and Grace Cannot Agree
- Seeking happiness through holiness
- Living a sanctified life
- Sin is our enemy, and the new life within us is at enmity with evil
- Peace can only be proclaimed when we live a life pleasing to God
Key Quotes
“Sin and grace can no more agree than fire and water.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The way to peace is the way of holiness.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Cast out sin, and you cast out contention.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must live a life pleasing to God in order to achieve peace.
- Sanctification is necessary for deep calm of heart and quiet of conscience.
- Sin is our enemy, and we must cast it out to achieve peace.