Sinclair B. Ferguson

But there's one, perhaps only one, characteristic that they have that somehow or another seems to spoil the whole.

But there's one, perhaps only one, characteristic that they have that somehow or another seems to spoil the whole.

And it's not a gross sin.

And it's not a gross sin.

It's just a blotch, like a scratch on the car or a mark on the tie or the dress.

It's just a blotch, like a scratch on the car or a mark on the tie or the dress.

But it is the thing that everybody notices about them and remembers.

But it is the thing that everybody notices about them and remembers.

And it distorts everything.

And it distorts everything.

It seems far bigger, much more prominent than any of their graces or their gifts.

It seems far bigger, much more prominent than any of their graces or their gifts.

And yet the sad thing is we ourselves may not be aware of the fault.

And yet the sad thing is we ourselves may not be aware of the fault.

We don't have any idea of the atmosphere that we leave behind us or that it isn't the aroma of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We don't have any idea of the atmosphere that we leave behind us or that it isn't the aroma of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We're a bit like people who get into an elevator in an office building, smartly dressed and well-groomed.

We're a bit like people who get into an elevator in an office building, smartly dressed and well-groomed.

But after a few seconds, everybody's noses tells them that they've been outside smoking.

But after a few seconds, everybody's noses tells them that they've been outside smoking.