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PERHAPS there was never a generation wherein the strength and dominion of sin did more discover itself, in the life and conversation of the people, than in this present age. Such is the mighty power thereof, that as all the children of men are slaves, so most of the children of God are captives to it. How are the thoughts, words, and actions of men and women, as so many slaves, captives, and drudges to sin! But, for as strong as it is, the strength of it is little seen, and few know where the strength of it lies. As the Philistines did not know that the strength of Samson lay in his hair, or in the locks of his head, which whenever it was shaved, his strength was gone; so the world little know this mystery, that the strength of sin is the law, insomuch, that till the sinner be shaved, as it were, with the sharp razor of the Spirit of Christ, so as to be cut off from the law, and united to Christ, the end of the law, the strength of sin remains, and the rule of it.

As we read these words from a sermon delivered nearly 300 years ago, we may be struck with its relevancy to our present age which despite its technological advances, bears much resemblance to the spiritual condition spoken of here. The sinful nature of man has not been improved upon and we see lives ensnared and ruined by sin. Why is this so? What is the strength of sin that it should corrupt all of mankind through all ages?

Ralph Erskine exposits the verse found in 1 Corinthians 15:56 “The strength of sin is the law” for us, this being the first part of his expository sermon. I hope you will find as much benefit in reading this HERE for sermons of this nature are rarely to be found in pulpits today.

The Chestnut Mare