06/30/2020
Beware of light thoughts of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender, that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear lest they should offend against God.
But alas! Very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of this world: the sensitive soul of a newly converted Christian turns away and leaves goodness, faithfulness and holiness behind to once again follow his/her wants/needs, becoming too pliant, too easily yielding. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least.
By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not just a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a small thing; and then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for the most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we cover our sins by making excuses and apologies; we throw a cloak over it and call it by dainty names.
Christian, beware how you think lightly of sin. Take heed lest you fall a little at a time. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Sin, a little thing? Do not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a Navy? Does not a small ax eventually take down a lofty oak? Will not continual water droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe.
Could you weigh the least sin on the scales of eternity, you would flee from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful." Author unknown-