Sheep or Swine?
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.
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.
Text
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!
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Sin in the Christian
- The Possibility of Falling into Sin
- God's Pardon and Preservation
- The Difference Between Sheep and Swine
- Sheep fall by weakness, swine delight in sin
- A distinction between accidental and deliberate sin
Key Quotes
“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!” — Thomas Brooks
“God will graciously pardon those sins to His people, which He will not in this life totally subdue in His people.” — Thomas Brooks
“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.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize that sin can still indwell in your life despite your Christian faith.
- Understand that your freedom from sin's power does not guarantee immunity from its presence.
- Seek God's pardon and forgiveness for your sins, even if they are not totally subdued in your life.