This Is the Very Knife That Cut the Throat of Your Child!
Christians should view sin as an accursed thing that made Christ a curse, and should abhor it with detestation.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the grave nature of sin by comparing it to a knife that caused the death of a beloved child. He urges Christians to view sin as the very instrument that led to Christ's suffering and death, highlighting the need to detest sin for the pain it caused Jesus. By reflecting on the cross and the immense sacrifice of Christ, believers are encouraged to reject sin and recognize its true nature as an accursed thing. Brooks calls for a deep love for Christ that manifests in a hatred for sin, reminding us that our actions should reflect our understanding of the cost of our salvation.
Text
Suppose a man should come to his dinner table, and there
should be a knife laid down, and it should be told him, "This
is the very knife that cut the throat of your child!" If
the man would use this knife as a common knife, would not
everyone say, "Surely this man had but very little love to his
child, who can use this bloody knife as a common knife!"
Just so, when you meet with any temptation to sin, oh, then
say, "This is the very knife which cut the throat of Jesus,
and pierced His sides! This very knife was the cause of His
sufferings, and made Christ to be a curse!" Ah, how should
Christians look upon sin as that accursed thing, which made
Christ a curse--and accordingly to abhor it! Oh, with what
detestation should every Christian fling away his sins! "Sin,
you have slain my Lord--and poured out His heart's blood!
You have been the only cause of the death of my Savior!"
Look upon the cross on which Christ was crucified, and the
pains He suffered thereon--and the seeming sweetness which
is in sin, will quickly vanish. When you are solicited to sin,
cast your eye upon Christ's cross; remember His astonishing
sufferings for your sin, and sin will soon grow distasteful to
your soul. How can sin not be hateful to us--if we seriously
consider how hurtful it was to Jesus Christ?
Sermon Outline
- The Bloody Knife of Sin
- The Consequences of Sin
- The Power of Remembrance
- Looking at the cross makes sin distasteful
- Remembering Christ's suffering makes sin hateful
Key Quotes
“This is the very knife which cut the throat of Jesus, and pierced His sides!” — Thomas Brooks
“Sin, you have slain my Lord--and poured out His heart's blood!” — Thomas Brooks
“How can sin not be hateful to us--if we seriously consider how hurtful it was to Jesus Christ?” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- When tempted to sin, look at the cross and remember Christ's suffering, and sin will soon grow distasteful to your soul.
- Christians should view sin as an accursed thing that made Christ a curse, and should abhor it with detestation.
- Hating sin is a natural response when considering how it hurt Jesus Christ.