By Jonathan Edwards, widely known as America’s greatest Theologian
Preached in 1741
Text: “Their foot shall slide in due time.” — Deuteronomy 32:35
This verse warns that the wicked stand on a slippery place and are continually exposed to destruction. Just as a person standing on a slippery surface can suddenly fall without warning, so sinners live under the danger of God's judgment every moment.
The fact that a sinner remains alive today is not because of his own strength, wisdom, or goodness. It is only because God, in His mercy, has chosen not to execute judgment immediately.
There is nothing that keeps wicked people out of hell for even one moment except the sovereign pleasure of God. By "sovereign pleasure," I mean God's own will and decision, not because He is obligated by anything outside Himself.
God is not restrained by the sinner's power. No human strength can resist Him.
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight." (Hebrews 4:13)
If God decided this moment to cast a sinner into hell, there would be nothing the sinner could do to prevent it.
People often imagine that because they are healthy, young, careful, or religious, they are safe from judgment. Yet every day many die unexpectedly. The world is filled with examples of people who left home in the morning and entered eternity before the day ended.
"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)
Jonathan Edwards describes God's wrath as a bow already bent and aimed at the heart of the sinner.
The arrow is ready. Justice demands judgment. The only thing holding back the arrow is God's mercy.
The sinner may not feel endangered. He may laugh, work, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. Yet he stands on the edge of eternal destruction.
"God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalm 7:11)
This does not mean that God merely disapproves of sin. It means His holy nature burns against all evil. Every sin is an offense against His infinite holiness.
Many people think lightly of hell because they do not understand who God is.
The seriousness of a crime is measured not only by the act itself but also by the dignity of the person offended. Sin is committed against an infinitely holy and infinitely glorious God.
Therefore the punishment of sin is not a small matter.
Jesus Himself spoke repeatedly about hell:
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:44)
"These shall go away into everlasting punishment." (Matthew 25:46)
Hell is not merely separation from comfort. It is the just punishment of God's wrath upon unrepentant sinners forever.
A person may feel secure today, but life hangs by a thread.
Disease, accidents, disasters, and sudden death surround us constantly. There are countless ways for God to bring a sinner into eternity.
Edwards compares sinners to spiders hanging over a fire by a thin thread. At any moment that thread may break.
The point is not that God delights in destruction. Rather, it is to show how helpless sinners are apart from His mercy.
"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14)
The most astonishing truth is not that sinners deserve judgment, but that God continues to show patience.
Every breath, every meal, every sunrise, every opportunity to hear the gospel is evidence of God's mercy.
"The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
God delays judgment so that sinners may repent and believe in Christ.
Jonathan Edwards did not preach this sermon merely to frighten people. His goal was to drive them to Christ.
Outside of Christ there is no safety.
But in Christ there is complete forgiveness, perfect righteousness, and eternal life.
Jesus bore the wrath of God on behalf of sinners.
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
The same God whose justice threatens the sinner offers mercy through His Son.
If you are outside of Christ, do not presume upon tomorrow. Repent and believe the gospel today.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
If you are in Christ, give thanks that the wrath you deserved was poured out upon your Savior instead of upon you.
The central message of Edwards' sermon remains as powerful today as it was in 1741:
Every sinner stands in danger of God's judgment, but God freely offers salvation through Jesus Christ. Those who trust in Christ are safe forever; those who reject Him remain on slippery ground, with their foot ready to slide in due time. (Deuteronomy 32:35)