Failings and infirmities – Thomas Brooks

God will never cast off His people for their failings and infirmities.

First, It is the glory of a man to pass by infirmities, Proverbs 19:11. Oh how much more, then, must it be the glory of God to pass by the infirmities of His people!

Secondly, Saints are children; and what father will cast off his children for their infirmities and weaknesses? Psalm 103:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Thirdly, Saints are members of Christ’s body; and what man will cut off a limb because there is a scab or wart upon it?

Fourthly, Saints are Christ’s purchase; they are His possession, His inheritance. [Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1 Peter 1:18-20] Now what man is there that will cast away, or cast off his purchase, his possession, his inheritance, because of thorns, bushes, or briars that grow upon it?

Fifthly, Saints are in a marriage-covenant with God, Hosea 2:19-20. Now what husband is there that will cast off his wife for her failings and infirmities? So long as a man is in covenant with God, his infirmities can’t cut him off from God’s mercy and grace. Now it is certain a man may have very many infirmities upon him, and yet not break his covenant with God.

In a word, if God should cast off His people for their failings and infirmities, then none of the sons or daughters of Adam could be saved: “For there is not a just man upon the earth that does good and sins not,” Ecclesiastes 7:20.