A murderous killing and the sinfulness of sin
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
In the wake of the murderous assassination of Charlie Kirk, we ponder Ralph Venning’s “The Sinfulness of Sin,” which emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin, where society tolerates some sins while abhorring others. He contrasts God’s holiness with humanity’s sinful nature, urging believers to expect persecution and to rejoice in Christ, the light amidst darkness, who offers salvation and righteousness to repentant sinners.
Puritan Ralph Venning (c. 1621-1673) wrote a book called The Sinfulness of Sin. Originally published in 1669 as “Sin, The Plague of Plagues”, it later became known by its latter title. It is in the public domain at A Puritan’s Mind as a .pdf-
Or at Chapel Library in excerpt.
We underestimate the sinfulness of sin. We are so used to it in us and around us, that while we abhor some sins, we tolerate others. Even early in Christianity, the Thyatiran church tolerated the false taeacher Jesus called Jezebel. Venning said,
Some men abhor certain sins such as atheism, blasphemy, idolatry and murder, but pride and wantonness are as pleasant to them as meat and drink. This is the proof that they do not hate sin as sin.
We have a hard time comprehending the love of God which is pure, perfect, infinite, and inclined toward repentant sinners. In the opposite but the same problem, we cannot fathom how evil sin really is, as it is also perfectly impure, perfectly infinite, and perfectly opposed to God and repentant man.
It seems that we are surprised when a shockingly sinful thing happens, but we should not be surprised. We are surprised because we forget the sinfulness of sin.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; (1 Peter 4:12).
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18).
Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12).
Venning explained the contrast between God’s holiness and man’s sin, as well as anyone can explain this mystery,
God is holy, without spot or blemish, or any such thing, without any wrinkle, or anything like it, as they also that are in Christ shall one day be (Ephesians 5.27). He is so holy, that he cannot sin himself, nor be the cause or author of sin in another. He does not command sin to be committed, for to do so would be to cross his nature and will. Nor does he approve of any man’s sin, when it is committed, but hates it with a perfect hatred. He is without iniquity, and of purer eyes than to behold (i.e. approve) iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13).
On the contrary, as God is holy, all holy, only holy, altogether holy, and always holy, so sin is sinful, all sinful, only sinful, altogether sinful, and always sinful (Genesis 6.5). In my flesh, there dwelleth no good thing (Romans 7.18). As in God there is no evil, so in sin there is no good. God is the chiefest of goods and sin is the chiefest of evils.
So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you (1 John 3:13).
Sin is against man’s relative good in this world. Man’s comfort or sorrow lies much in his relationships; the weal or woe of his life is as his relationships are. That which was made for a help proves only too often a hindrance. Sin has spoiled society, so that one man is a wolf, even a devil to another. Sin will not let husband and wife, parents and children live quietly, but sets them at variance, and many times a man’s enemies are they of his own house and bosom; they who eat bread at our table lift up the heel against us, and familiar friends become enemies. Lust makes wars (James 4.1), and from pride comes contention (Proverbs 13.10). It breeds divisions and factions in Church and State, so that there is little union or order, harmony, society or friendship in the world.
We must rejoice in the voices that speak truth in a darkening world. We must be glad for the trials, woes, and hardships that have come and will come. Jesus didn’t say ‘May come”. He said ‘You WILL be hated”, “You WILL be persecuted”.
We should not be surprised when the evildoers invent ways to do more evil. Romans 1:29-32 says
people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, unfeeling, and unmerciful; 32and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
The verse says they are ‘filled’. That means the sinful sinners are filled to the brim with any or all manner of sin to perform. They are ‘complete’. They not only are filled, they not only invent more evil, but they approve of those who do it. They say ‘He deserved to die’. They say ‘He was divisive and got what was coming to him.’ But they know and suppress this truth: they themselves will receive the due penalty for their error. God will render perfect justice upon sinners. And there but by the grace of God, go I.
Easier said than done to ‘rejoice’ and ‘to be glad’, I know. But we are grateful when looking at the darkness, that the Light has come. When the darkness deepens, the Light is ever more beautiful. There is One transcendant, perfect, holy person in the name of Jesus Christ, who stands against sin and rescues us from ourselves, us, accursed evildoers whom He loves and grants repentace and applies righteousness to our account.
When the darkness deepens, the Light is ever more beautiful.
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Praise God for Jesus and His rescue mission to offer the Gospel to sinners. We need it. Without Him and His gospel, the sinfulness of sin would be all we know. How hopeless and dark our pitiful lives would be.
So do not mourn, but rejoice in the Light.
