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I. THE QUESTION AND ITS ANSWER.

1. The difficulty in the sinner's case lies —

(1) In the thoroughness of the operation. The Ethiopian can wash, or paint; but he cannot change that which is part and parcel of himself. A sinner cannot change his own nature.

(2) In the fact that the will is itself diseased by sin. In man's will lies the essence of the difficulty: he can not, means that he does not will to have it done. He is morally unable.

(3) In the strength of habit. Practice in transgression has forged chains, and bound the man to evil.

(4) In the pleasure of sin, which fascinates and enslaves the mind.

(5) In the appetite for sin, which gathers intensity from indulgence. Drunkenness, lechery, covetousness, etc., are a growing force.

(6) In the blindness of the under. standing, which prevents men from seeing the evil of their ways, or noting their danger. Conscience is drugged into a deep sleep.

(7) In the growing hardness of the heart, which becomes more stolid and unbelieving every day, till nothing affects it.

(8) In the evident fact that outward means prove ineffectual

2. For all these reasons we answer the question in the negative: sinners can no more renew themselves than Ethiopians can change their skins.

(1) Why then preach to them? It is Christ's command, and we are bound to obey. Their inability does not hinder our ministry, for power goes with the word.

(2) Why tell them that it is their duty to repent? Because it is so: moral inability is no excuse: the law is not to be lowered because man has grown too evil to keep it.

(3) Why tell them of this moral inability? To drive them to self-despair, and make them look to Christ.

II. ANOTHER QUESTION AND ANSWER.

1. All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26).

2. The Holy Spirit has special power over the human heart.

3. The Lord Jesus has determined to work this wonder, and for this purpose He came into this world, and died, and rose again (Matthew 1:21).

4. Many such jet-black sinners have been totally changed: among ourselves there are such, and in all places such may be found.

5. The Gospel is prepared with that end.

6. God has made His Church long for such transformations, and prayer has been offered that they may now be wrought.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

WEB: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.