by Thomas Charles
There is a great difference between the workings of the natural conscience of an unconverted person, in the opposition it makes to sin—and the resistance which the renewed principle in a believer, makes to sin. The former may be, and is consistent with, the prevailing love of sin. But the latter is not, nor can possibly be.
A man may delight in sin, at the same time his conscience every day accuses him of it. But where a principle of saving grace is implanted, there the inward man delights in the law of God, Romans 7.
Natural conscience only bears witness against sin and condemns it as being wrong—but grace hates it, as being filthy and abominable. One malefactor may accuse another and condemn evil in him, and at the same time be very far from hating evil itself. But none but a godly man can hate evil itself.
Conscience accuses the evil doer, and its accusations, strengthened by the law and its curses, the justice of God and its threatenings, may be dreadful and intolerable; but after all it will do no more.
But the spirit wars against the flesh, draws effectually the soul and its faculties in opposition to it—resists, opposes with unwearied steadiness and perseverance, in every faculty, in all the workings of the soul, in all its thoughts and desires, in every imagination of the thought of the heart. The spirit wars against the flesh, meets it with courage, and entrenches itself against it.
Conscience acts as a judge—but grace acts as an irreconcilable adversary, that with implacable hatred pursues his enemy to death.
Conscience condemns sin—but grace slays sin.
Conscience bears witness against the dominion of sin—but grace dethrones it, crucifies and mortifies it, and will, in spite of all opposition, reign and rule alone.
Conscience teaches us that sin is there, and that it is evil; but grace "teaches us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly".
Grace will not allow the soul to "mind the things of the flesh", but "the things of the Spirit". Grace carries the affections upward, and "fixes them on things above". Grace leads the soul in direct opposition to the flesh, and enables it, strengthened by Christ, "to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit." Grace acts universally in all the faculties of the soul, at all times and in everything, opposing evil wherever it is found.
"When I would do good", says the Apostle, "evil is present with me". When I would do good—anything that is agreeable to the mind and will of God—evil is present to oppose and resist me.
So is it also with grace, when a true Christian would do evil, grace is present with him. The flesh wars against the Spirit in every faculty and every part, and so does the spirit against the flesh. They are two opposite principles in the same part, constantly acting in perfect contrariety to each other, like heat and cold in the same water. In the same mind, there is the wisdom of the flesh—and the wisdom of the spirit. In the same will, there is delight in the law of God—and lusting after sin. In the same affections, there is love of God—and love of the world, fear of God—and fear of man—each everywhere opposing the other and lusting against it.
Sin and grace in the same faculty, resemble Esau and Jacob in the same womb, dwelling and struggling together. It is not so in unrenewed persons. They are different faculties, and not different principles which work in them—as when the will and the affections are bent on sin on the one hand, and the understanding and conscience on the other condemning it. Between these faculties there is no enmity—for the same principle rules in all.
But grace and sin in the same faculty, are as opposite as light and darkness. Grace has a respect to, and loves all of God's commandments. Grace acts universally, continually, uniformly, and perseveringly in conformity to the will of God—and by it the soul bent towards God, desires after spiritual things, and is universally inclined to all duties of holiness. "It is a well of water springing up unto everlasting life."
Exactly in the same manner, sin acts in opposition to it. But the power of godliness will in the end prevail; it will not cease in its operation until every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
But this will not be the case where natural conscience alone operates, though strengthened by the law of God to condemn sin. Sin will prevail there in the end. The water may be dammed up—but it is not dried up; and it will break forth with more force than ever, bearing down all resistance before it, at one time or other. Sin is not awed by conscience's accusations against it. Conscience may condemn it—yet sin will do as it wills. In Hell, where conscience will be most faithful and clamorous, sin will rage more furiously than ever.
But it is not sufficient for grace to accuse and condemn sin, it will have sin's death. God's love, power, and faithfulness, are engaged to give grace the victory. "God is faithful, who has promised", is its continual strength.
Little David, relying upon his promises, will face a great Goliath. What reason have I to praise the Lord, that his strength has hitherto been made perfect in my weakness, and that grace is still alive! Those blessed truths, which gave it being, still feed and nourish it. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes. It is so daily in an increasing degree, until they are saved from all enemies, and safe in glory!
I have good reason to hope that it is not conscience unrenewed, nor the law, which has carried me on hitherto in opposition to sin. No, but saving grace that feeds on the glorious truths of the gospel, and derives from them continual strength. This the natural conscience does not—it has in itself strength enough to condemn, and it can do no more. But grace is continually looking to Christ for strength to continue the warfare. Grace feeds on the gospel of Christ, lives upon it, and finds it to be bread that endures to everlasting life—feeding, comforting, and strengthening the soul—until he enters the joy of his Lord.
This grace fed him in times past, it still endures; he finds it still the same, as nourishing as ever; and feeding upon it, he goes on from strength to strength. For ten years I have, I hope, lived upon it. And blessed be the Lord, it still endures and still nourishes. May the Lord help me to labor more after it, and feed more upon it. How infinite the mercy that I ever tasted that the Lord is gracious! O that I could feed more upon his grace, and live more to his glory!
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Source: Spiritual Counsels