“Who can understand his errors?” (Psalm 19.12.)
Introduction. What we know is small compared to what we do not know. He who has descended into the deepest mine must be aware that he has viewed just a part of the mere crust of this world. The astronomer will tell you that the grand clusters of unknown worlds exceed the little we can explore, as a mountain exceeds a grain of sand. In spiritual matters also, concerning God, Christ, the atonement, and sin, we have only begun to learn. “Who can understand his errors?”
(1) Explaining the Question. “Who can understand his errors?” Any notion that we are without sin should discover to us that we indeed abound in it. Who knows how much a thing may be an error which we imagine to be a virtue? Who among us can tell how much sin is mingled with our goodness? Who is able to detect all the parts of an action so as to determine the proportion of right and wrong in our motive? We can detect the absolute black of sin. But the shades of evil are known by God. And who can understand the number of his errors? The mightiest mind cannot count those of a single day. Who can estimate the guilt of sin? since even a tiny one deserves God’s eternal displeasure? If one single sin remain unforgiven, God must cast his dearest from his presence. The aggravation of sin is such that a minister may be so conscious of his faults that he would give up the ministry if he dared. There is something about each one of us that makes our sins especially aggravating to God, like maybe you struck a deal with him that time you were in trouble, and then after he delivered you, you broke your promise.
(2) Impressing the Question on the Heart. Before a man could understand his errors he must know several mysteries. First, he must know how much the fall has perverted his judgment and how vicious his nature has become. Until then, he cannot know how guilty he is. Most of our sins are hidden, like worms beneath the ground. Inspired tongues are unable to fully tell how vile man is. God even protects us from knowing all our wickedness to save us from becoming crazy. Second, he must know the law. The commandments look simple to obey, until we realize that they require obedience in act, word, and thought. The law of God is like a star, with brilliant points. But just approach it, and there is a body greater than the sun: “The commandment is exceeding broad.” Third, he must know the perfection of God. To get a full idea of how black sin is, we must know how bright God is. If we are spotted with sin as compared to an apostle, how spotted must we be beside our spotless God! Fourth, he must know about hell. Sin is best measured by the penalty it deserves: an eternity of indescribable agony. Fifth, he’d have to feel and endure the Almighty wrath that Jesus suffered for our sins.
(3) The Practical Application. What folly, then, to hope to save yourselves! Even your good works are evil. And even if you had committed no sins, then skipping the good you should have done is what men will be cast into the lake of fire for. Come, then, with your glory dragging in the mire, and confess. Do not wait until you feel guilty. You’ll never know nor feel how guilty you are.
Selection from Conclusion. “It is every man’s solemn duty to trust Christ…Trust now in his precious blood…and you shall see his face in heaven…What if thy sins were greater than heaven’s breadth, yet Christ is greater than heaven…If thy sins were deeper than the bottomless hell, yet Christ’s atonement is deeper still…for Christ went to the end of punishment, and deeper thy sins can never plunge…God help thee to believe.”
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