The Doctrine of Sin is certainly one of the most neglected in preaching today. Whereas preachers of old preached the depravity of man and saw many brought to conviction and conversion, preachers today seem content to place emphasis on God’s love and grace and ignore preaching on man’s sinfulness. To do so is a serious mistake. Not only does such an emphasis distort the message of salvation which, of necessity begins with “the bad news,” it also diminishes the greatness and glory of God in salvation. A proper understanding of our dreadful condition and our utter helplessness restores the biblical emphasis on the power of God in making dead men alive and in rescuing men from the kingdom of darkness.
In this issue, we have included a number of articles that address the sin nature of man. In articles from A. W. Pink and Asahel Nettleton, the results of the fall and the depravity of man are discussed. Those by Edwards and Charnock remind us of the greatness of God’s grace. We are not saved because we are better in any way. God’s choice is not determined by anything in us or any act by us, but only because of His great love and mercy toward us. These articles humble us as we remember our condition and God’s grace that rescued us. Finally, we have included two articles (one by A. W. Pink and another by William Gurnall) that speak about the work of the Spirit in bringing dead men to conviction of sin.
One idea has stood out in my mind while researching and editing these articles—the goodness of God. As I have been reminded of how wicked I am, I have been brought anew to see how good God is. I have seen this goodness in a number of areas. First, God’s goodness is revealed in that He has been unbelievably patient toward us all. His justice would not have been questioned had He destroyed everyone one of us. His goodness is especially evident in that He continues to “endure with patience the vessels prepared for destruction.” That is, He continues to bear with those that will never come to saving faith. Second, I am constantly reminded that, even if God never gave me anything else in life but Christ, I would have to say, “God is so good to me.” But the Scriptures (and our experiences) remind us that “He who did not spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32)? In light of our sin and rebellion, what more can we say other than “God is so good to us.”
By His Grace, Jim & Debbie
