“ONE sinner destroyeth much good” is a fact only too evident. It is extraordinary how much mischief may be wrought by one crooked individual.
The sinner may be old or young, rich or poor, man or woman, but the poisonous influence he can shed, and the irreparable evil he can perform, is beyond description. It may be wrought in school or in the social circle, in the world or in the church, but how much positive misery may be the product of a solitary man is incalculable. It is quite true that a confederacy of such men may intensify the evil, yet our passage in Ecclesiastes 9:1818Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:18) attributes the destruction of much good to the hands of one sinner.
How deplorable the history of such a sinner as, for instance, Manasseh, king of Judah, or of Ahab, king of Israel! What havoc they each wrought in their respective kingdoms, and what suffering their conduct entailed on their subjects! Now, if the destruction of good were confined to the sinner himself it would be fortunate; but whilst he, doubtless, suffers primarily, yet his conduct affects others besides, and the higher his position the greater the area of mischief. Each of us sheds around him an influence for good or evil, and God takes notice of all that we do. How fearful the responsibility of the one who sets to work to destroy much good. “Every one of us shall give account of himself unto God” (Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)).
But note another thing that “one sinner” can do. He can cause joy in the presence of the angels of God! It is in his power, through the saving grace of God, to thrill the courts on high with unspeakable gladness! Now that is as wonderful as it is true.
“There is joy,” said the blessed Lord, in Luke 15:10,10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10) “in the presence of the, angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Yes, He says “one sinner.” Heaven pays attention to the soul―trouble and repentance of one child of man, one poor guilty descendant of Adam! How minute its observation must be, and how heartily the angel-band join in the delight that is surely shared by Him who is infinitely higher than they. His joy is but reflected in them. The shepherd sought the sheep, found it, and carried it home rejoicing. The woman sought the lost piece of silver until she found it, and then called her friends to participate in her joy. Both said, “Rejoice with me.” The father, too, said, on the home-coming of the prodigal, “It was meet that we should make merry and be glad.” The very house resounded with music and dancing, and all this, notice, on the repentance of “one sinner”! Ah, what raptures must fill that house as sinners, one by one, repent and are welcomed home!
It may be, my reader, you feel that your lifework has been the “destruction of much good.” Beginning with yourself, you have wrecked your prospects and blighted your name; you have given free rein to a heart sinful by nature, and have ridden full speed downward; you have carried in your train, and ruined by your influence, multitudes of others. Your history has been baneful―your life poisonous! The varied departments you have filled have witnessed your unfaithfulness, and each relationship has proclaimed your obliquity. You have destroyed much good, and effected much evil, and the consequence is that you are guilty. You are the “one sinner” of Ecclesiastes 9.
True, and sadly humbling; yet, thank God, such was the prodigal of Luke 15, who repented, and who was thereafter kissed and clothed, and welcomed to all the wealth of the father’s house. You be the penitent too! You have proved the damning effects of sin, now prove the saving power of grace! “The grace of God that bringeth salvation to all hath appeared” (Titus 2:1111For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11)). May you taste its living reality in time and forever. J. W. S.