Such a Smoke in the Soul
Thomas Brooks explores how corruption can obscure the presence of grace in the soul, emphasizing the need for divine revelation to recognize it.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that a person can possess true grace yet struggle with assurance due to the 'smoke' of doubts and fears that corruption creates within the soul. This obscurity prevents individuals from recognizing the valuable graces present in their hearts, much like smoke obscures the beauty of jewels. He illustrates this with the example of Hagar, who could not see the well of water nearby until God opened her eyes, paralleling how believers may overlook the grace within them until God reveals it. Brooks encourages believers to seek divine clarity to recognize and appreciate the grace that resides in their souls.
Text
A man may have true grace and yet lack assurance,
and this may arise from that smoke and clouds, those
fears and doubts which corruption raises in the soul.
Just so, that the soul cannot see those excellent graces
which otherwise might be discerned. Though there may
be many precious gems and jewels in the house, yet the
smoke may hinder a man from seeing them sparkle and
shine. So though there may be many precious graces in
the souls of saints, yet corruption may raise such a dust,
such a smoke in the soul, that the soul is not able to
see them in the beauty and glory.
The well of water was near Hagar--but she saw it not until
her eyes were opened by the Lord, Gen. 21:19-20. So grace
is near the soul, yes, in the soul sometimes, and yet the soul
does not see it, until God opens the eye and shows it. "The
Lord was in this place," says Jacob, "and I knew it not." So
many a precious soul may say, grace was in my heart, and
I knew it not, I saw it not.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding true grace - The lack of assurance - The impact of corruption
- II points: - The metaphor of smoke in the soul - Hidden graces and jewels - The role of perception
- III points: - Biblical examples of unseen grace - Hagar's well and Jacob's realization - God's role in revealing grace
- IV points: - The importance of spiritual clarity - Overcoming doubts and fears - Recognizing the presence of grace
Key Quotes
“A man may have true grace and yet lack assurance.” — Thomas Brooks
“Though there may be many precious gems and jewels in the house, yet the smoke may hinder a man from seeing them sparkle and shine.” — Thomas Brooks
“The Lord was in this place, says Jacob, and I knew it not.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Seek to identify and confront the doubts that cloud your perception of God's grace.
- Pray for God to open your eyes to the grace that is already present in your life.
- Reflect on biblical examples of grace to encourage your faith and assurance.