Sin

A boat rows against the stream ; the current punishes it . So is a nation violating a law of God ; it is subject to a judgement . The boat turns and goes with the stream ; the stream assists it . So is a nation which has repented and put itself into harmony with God's law ; it is subject to a blessing . But the current is the same ; it has not changed , only the boat has changed its relationship to the current . Neither does God change - we change ; and the same law which executed itself in punishment now expresses itself in reward . Thomas Brooks

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