Conviction of Sin Necessary to a Just Sense of God's Grace in Salvation
Luke 5:31
And Jesus answering said to them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.


In multitudes of cases, they are entirely insensible of the malady that is preying upon them and hastening to its fatal issue in the death of the soul. And so long as they entertain this opinion of themselves, or remain insensible to their real condition as perishing in sin, it is plain that they cannot feel their need of the remedy provided for them in the gospel, and will not apply to the Divine Physician for the healing of their souls, or their recovery to spiritual health. Let us illustrate this point in a few particulars. And —

1. I remark — those who feel themselves to be whole, in the sense of our text, can have no sincerity or earnestness in using the means of spiritual recovery. A man who is in doubt whether he is sick or well, will of course hesitate whether he shall ask advice of a physician, and after having asked it, he will show the same indecision and hesitancy in regard to taking the medicine prescribed by him.

2. While a man feels himself to be whole he can of course have no true conviction of sin.

3. While a man imagines himself to be whole, he cannot feel his need of mercy, and of course cannot ask for nor receive it as it is offered him in the gospel.

4. While a man feels himself to be whole, he cannot receive Christ as his Saviour, nor acceptably apply to Him for any one blessing of His mediation.

5. That while a man imagines himself to be whole he can have no real, abiding gratitude for redeeming mercy, even should he flatter himself that he has embraced Christ as his Saviour.In conclusion, I am led to remark —

1. We see in view of our subject who they are that are in the greatest danger of being lost.

2. We see the necessity of preaching the law. By the law is the knowledge of sin.

3. We see why there is so little of deep and fruitful religion in many who profess to be Christians. They are wanting in a deep and abiding sense of the great evil of sin, and of their infinite indebtedness to the mercy of God in Christ in delivering them from the wrath to come.

4. We see why it is so difficult to persuade impenitent men to accept the salvation of the gospel. It is because they do not feel their need of such a salvation.

(J. Hawes, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

WEB: Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.




Christianity a Remedy for All Diseases
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