John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. Gospel impenitents who finally reject Christ have no cloak for their sin — I. FROM ANY PLEAS OR PRENTENCES THEY CAN MAKE RELATING TO GOD THEIR MAKER. They cannot plead — 1. That they are not invited to believe in Christ for salvation. The gospel invitation runs in indefinite terms, "Whosoever will, let him come." 2. That they are not elected. It is not the undiscovered decree, but the revealed precept, that is our rule, according to which we are to conduct ourselves, and by which we shall finally be judged (Deuteronomy 29:29) 3. That God uses any compulsion, or exerts any positive influence, to keep them in unbelief and harden them in sin (James 1:13). 4. That there is any deficiency of suitable means on God's part, or that He does not afford them necessary external helps for their believing in Christ (Isaiah 5:4). He has given men the Bible, the Church, pastors and teachers, sabbaths, etc. 5. That there is a want of internal assistances, and a defect of necessary influences from God to make the means effectual. The fact is — (1) Sinners do not realise what God tells them of the necessity of His grace, and of their own impotency, but are apt vainly to magnify their own abilities, and to think every man of himself more highly than he ought to think. (2) Sinners do not pray to God for His Spirit as they ought, although they confess their own impotency. (3) Sinners under the gospel, whether they pray for the Spirit or not, do actually experience those assistances of common grace, which are a full vindication of God, and leave them without all excuse. The Spirit of God is often at work in their consciences. He convinces them of sin, admonishes them of duty, and stirs up their affections, desires, fears, and hopes. But here is the misery and folly of sinners: they do always resist and vex the Holy Ghost. II. FROM ANY PLEAS THEY CAN MAKE REFERRING TO SATAN, AND AN EVIL WORLD, THEIR SPIRITUAL ADVERSARIES. They suffer no violence from external causes, nor will any impediments they met with in the way of duty, afford them a plea sufficient to justify their not repenting and receiving Christ. What or who should compel the sinner to refuse Christ? They may persuade and entice, but they cannot force. They may indeed use a violence upon the body, and hinder that from external duties; but they cannot reach the soul, to hinder repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (James 4:7). It is the fault and folly of sinners, they do not resist the devil. And then, if Satan has gained a power over any, which seems almost irresistible (2 Timothy 2:26), they have brought this upon themselves (Psalm 81:11, 12). III. IT REMAINS, THEREFORE, THAT SIINNERS TAKE ALL THE BLAME OF THEIR SIN AND RUIN TO THEMSELVES (James 1:14; John 3:19). Gospel impenitents — 1. Neglect to use, or trifle in using, those means which are in their own power, and which they might probably hope God would bless, in order to their salvation (John 6:27; Luke 13:24; Philippians 2:12). 2. Resist the methods of grace, which the blessed God uses with them, and quench the Holy Spirit striving in them (Isaiah 63:10; Acts 7:51). 3. Do actually commit those sins, which, as they have a natural tendency to hinder their conversion, so they provoke God to withhold His special grace from them (Zechariah 7:11, 12; Ezekiel 24:13). 4. Do all this in a free and voluntary manner, and upon motives which, at the time, appear to them founded in reason.Conclusion: Have gospel impenitents no cloak for their sin? 1. Hence we may learn the justice of God in the eternal condemnation of such in a future state. 2. Hence the awfulness of our standing under the gospel, and the miserable delusion of such as trust to mere privileges and externals in religion. 3. Hence the folly of delay in the grand affair of conversion. 4. If gospel impenitents are inexusable, who perish in their own iniquity; how much more such sinners as are voluntarily instrumental to the sin and ruin of others! 5. What abundant reason have they to admire the grace of God toward them, who after a course of great sin, under gospel light, have been converted! (T. Foxcroft.) Parallel Verses KJV: If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. |
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