230. LUK 15:17. THE MADNESS OF SIN

Luk_15:17. The Madness of Sin

"When he came to himself."’97Luk_15:17.

How graphic and touching are the descriptions given of the fallen and miserable state of human nature in the holy oracles of God! It is a state of poverty, a state of blindness, a state of universal disease, a state of total wretchedness, a state of imminent peril; and it is a state of insanity. "For madness is in their heart while they live," Ecc_9:3. So of the poor wretched prodigal it is said, "When he came to himself;" clearly implying his former mad and insane state.

The sinner’s condition is one of madness

I. Madness is the Derangement of the intellectual Powers.

These powers enable men to understand, judge, reflect, &c. The sinner knows not, worse than the ox or ass. He considers not’97he reflects not. His movements are evidences of stupidity and folly

II. In Madness Passion rules instead of Reason.

The sinner thus acts by impulse, and by impulse only. He lays down no rational plan, or rule of action. He deliberates not Never calculates as to consequences. Like a vessel without helm or rudder, at the mercy of the winds and waves, &c.,

III. Madness is connected with strange Delusions.

Often imagine they are great, and rich, and healthy. Often the maniac sings of freedom in his chains, &c. How exactly realized in the case of the sinner; he says he is rich, and happy, and free, while he is poor, and blind, and miserable, and perishing.

IV. Madness will be proved by the Objects of Choice and Rejection.

A sane person prefers good to evil, safety to danger, &c. A madman has no just idea of things. He trifles with peril, sports with danger, rejects the good and chooses the evil. So the sinner neglects and undervalues his soul, murders time, is thoughtless of heaven, and unconcerned about eternity.

V. Madness will be manifest from the Conversation.

It is either violent, incoherent, or insipid. How exemplified in the angry, profane, and rain conversation of the ungodly.

VI. Madmen are uninfluenced by Counsel.

How true of sinners! Parents have counselled’97"My son, if thy heart," &c. Friends have counselled’97Come thou with us," &c. Ministers have counselled’97"We beseech you," &c. The Holy Spirit has counselled, &c., yet sinners will not hear.

VII. Madmen think all Others mad, save Themselves.

Mad infidel, says all believers are mad; mad drunkard, thinks the sober are mad, &c. Worldling thinks the heavenly-minded Christian is mad. Festus, Paul. Even of Jesus, they said, "He has a devil and is mad."

VIII. Madmen are dangerous to Others.

So one sinner destroyeth much good. What a ruinous influence they exert on friends, families, neighborhoods, &c. How many heart-broken parents, wives, children, &c.

IX. Madness is often fatal in its Results.

Thousands have lived and died so. Often leads to self-destruction. Sin, if not removed by the influence of the Gospel will assuredly tend to death. "The soul," &c. "The wages of sin," &c. "The wicked shall be turned," &c.

Application

1. Spiritual madness is self-procured. therefore wilful and altogether inexcusable.

2. Spiritual madness tends to the death of the soul. Eternal wo.

3. For spiritual madness there is one grand efficient remedy, and one only, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, salvation by faith in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. The application of this remedy invariably brings sinners to a right state of mind. Like the recovered demoniac, "to the feet of Christ, clothed, and in their right mind."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS