Ask What You Will, O Christian
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.
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.
Text
"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!
Sermon Outline
- The Desire to be Rid of Sin
- The Nature of the Christian's Desire
- The Contrast between Carnal and Spiritual Desires
- The Christian's Desire for Spiritual Cleansing
- The Christian's Desire for Mortification of Sin
Key Quotes
“Lord, rid me of my sins! Lord, take away my iniquities! Lord, mortify my corruptions!” — Thomas Brooks
“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!” — Thomas Brooks
“Lord, kill and crucify all these sinful evils that have killed and crucified the Lord of life and glory!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the harm that sin causes and the desire to be holy and pleasing to God.
- Pursue spiritual cleansing and mortification of sin through prayer and surrender to God.
- Be willing to let go of sinful desires and habits in order to be delivered from their power and influence.