So you want to sin, do you? I get that. I’ve been there. I’ve been there today. And yesterday. And the day before. Can I beg just four or five minutes of your time? Then you can go and sin all you want. But first I want you to read just a few words and take a moment to consider them.
Consider, Christian, that Christ came from his Father’s side, where he had existed eternally, to this world of sorrow and death; that God himself was manifested in the flesh, the Creator made a creature; that he who was clothed with glory would now be clothed with mortal flesh; he who filled heaven and earth with his glory would be cradled in a manger; that the almighty God would flee from weak man–the God of Israel escaping into Egypt; that the God of the law would become subject to the law, the God of the circumcision circumcised, the God who made the heavens and earth laboring with Joseph as a small-town carpenter.
Consider that the one who binds the devils in chains would be tempted by Satan; that he, who owns the world, and everything in it, would hunger and thirst; that the God of strength would be weary, the Judge of all flesh condemned, the God of life put to death; that he who is one with his Father would cry out of misery, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”; that he who holds the keys of hell and death would lie dead in a borrowed tomb, having in his lifetime nowhere to lay his head, and having after death nowhere to lay his body.
Consider that this head, before which the angels cast down their crowns, would be crowned with thorns, and those eyes, purer than the sun, would be extinguished by the darkness of death; those ears, which had heard nothing but hallelujahs of saints and angels, would hear the blasphemies of the multitude; that face, which had eternally looked upon the Father, would be spit on by those who opposed him; that mouth which spoke as no man spoke before or since would be accused of blasphemy; those hands, which held the very scepter of heaven, would be nailed to the cross; those feet, “like burnished bronze,” would be nailed to the cross for man’s sins.
Consider that he would feel the agony of the spear and nails; he would smell the stench of the place of the skull; he would taste the vinegar and gall; he would hear the mocking and reproaches; he would see his mother and disciples mourning him; and all the while his soul would be without comfort, forsaken by man and God.
This was the cost of your sin. This was the cost of that sin you want to enjoy.
Do you still want to sin?
Inspired by Thomas Brooks.
