Sin in them, and Christ in them
And so this position, "There is no sin in a believer, no carnal mind, no bent to backsliding," is contrary to the word of God, and it is contrary to the experience of his children. These children of God continually feel a heart bent to backsliding, a natural tendency to evil, a proneness to depart from God and to cling to the things of earth. They are daily aware of sin remaining in their heart, pride, self-will, and unbelief, and of sin clinging to all they speak and do, even their best actions and their holiest duties. Yet at the same time they know that they are of God. They cannot doubt it for a moment. They feel his Spirit clearly witnessing with their spirit that they are the children of God. They rejoice in God through Christ Jesus, by whom they have now received the atonement. So they are equally assured that sin is in them, and that Christ is in them the hope of glory.
1771 text
7. And as this position, There is no sin in a believer, no carnal mind, no bent to back-sliding, is thus contrary to the word of God, so it is to the experience of his children. These continually feel an heart bent to back-sliding, a natural tendency to evil; a proneness to depart from God, and cleave to the things of earth. They are daily sensible of sin remaining in their heart, pride, self-will, unbelief: and of sin cleaving to all they speak and do, even their best actions, and holiest duties. Yet at the same time they know that they are of God; they cannot doubt of it for a moment. They feel his Spirit clearly witnessing with their spirit, that they are the children of God. They rejoice in God through Christ Jesus, by whom they have now received the atonement. So that they are equally assured, that sin is in them, and that Christ is in them the hope of glory.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.