Why fear for past sin
It remains only to draw some practical inferences from the preceding considerations. And first, if there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, and do not walk after the flesh but after the Spirit, on account of their past sin, then why are you fearful, O you of little faith?
Though your sins were once more in number than the sand, what is that to you, now you are in Christ Jesus? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? All the sins you have committed, from your youth up until the hour when you were accepted in the Beloved, are driven away as chaff. They are gone, they are lost, swallowed up, remembered no more.
You are now born of the Spirit. Will you be troubled or afraid for what was done before you were born? Away with your fears. You are not called to fear, but to the Spirit of love and of a sound mind. Know your calling. Rejoice in God your Savior, and give thanks to God your Father through him.
1771 text
III. 1. It remains only, to draw some practical inferences from the preceding considerations. And, first, If there be no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, on account of their past sin: then why art thou fearful, O thou of little faith? Tho’ thy sins were once more in number than the sand, what is that to thee now thou art in Christ Jesus? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth: who is he that condemneth? All the sins thou hast committed from thy youth up, until the hour when thou wast accepted in the Beloved, are driven away as chaff, are gone, are lost, swallowed up, remembered no more. Thou art now born of the Spirit: wilt thou be troubled or afraid for what is done before thou wert born? Away with thy fears! Thou art not called to fear; but to the Spirit of love and of a sound mind. Know thy calling. Rejoice in God thy Saviour, and give thanks to God thy Father through him.
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 8 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:1.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.