The Filthiness of Sin

Filth is offensive to all cleanly persons. We cannot bear close contact with a person who neglects the washing of his body or of his clothes, so as to become a living dunghill. However poor a man is he might be clean; and when he is not, he becomes a common nuisance to those who speak with him, or sit near him. If bodily filthiness is horrible to us, what must the filthiness of sin be to the pure and holy God! I cannot attempt to express the abomination of sin to God. He hates it with all his soul. If we are to be acceptable before God, there must be no keeping up of favorite sins, no sparing of darling lusts, no providing for secret iniquities: our service will be filthiness before God if our hearts go after our sins. He saith, "Be clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." He would not have the vessels of his sanctuary touched with filthy fingers. Have we well considered this? Lay aside, then, all filthiness unless you wish to arouse the wrath of God.