87. Interrogation and Examination.

But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. - Jeremiah 3:19.

MAN thinks lightly of sin; but not so the Lord.

Man thinks lightly of grace; but not so the Lord.

Man trifles where God wonders.

Man forgets where God considers.

The text may be viewed as written with a note of interrogation (?) or a note of exclamation (!).

Let us treat it somewhat in that blended fashion.

I. HERE IS A DIFFICULT QUESTION.

Many knotty questions are involved in it.

1. As to the holy Lord. "How shall I put thee among the children?" How, in consistency with justice and purity, shall the Holy One place in his family persons of such character? They have forgotten, despised, forsaken, rejected, and insulted their God and can he treat them as if they had loved and obeyed?

2. As to the unholy person. "How shall I put thee among the children?" Shalt thou be adopted after being—

· A rebel so set on mischief, willfully disobeying?

· A sinner so open, so presumptuous, so obstinate?

· A desperado so profligate, profane, and persecuting?

· A criminal "condemned already" by thine unbelief? Such persons do obtain mercy, but how is it done?

3. As to the family. "How shall I put thee among the children?"

· What will the children say? "A fine brother, certainly?

· What will the world say? Will not observers exclaim, "See what characters are received into the household of God!" May it not even seem like trifling with iniquity? May not the wicked hope for impunity in their sinning?

· What can I myself say to justify such a course? How shall I make this appear to be the act of the Judge of all the earth?

4. As to the inheritance: "and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage?" Is not this too good for such?

· Shalt thou have peace and happiness below?

· Shalt thou have all that my favored children enjoy?

· Shalt thou be admitted into heaven? It is a question which none but the Lord would ever have thought of.

He himself asked it long ago, as if to let us see that it was no small matter which he proposed.

He himself answered the question, or it had been unanswerable.

II. HERE IS A WONDERFUL ANSWER.

l. It is from God himself, and is therefore a perfect answer.

2. It is in the divine style: "Thou shalt" and "thou shalt not." Omnipotence speaks, and grace reveals its unconditional character.

3. It is concerning a divine work. God himself puts sinners among his children, and none beside can do it.

· The Lord infuses a new spirit — a filial spirit.

· This spirit expresses itself by a new call: "My Father."

· This creates new bonds: "and shalt not turn away from me."

4. It is effectual for its purpose.

· Those who heartily cry"My Father" may safely be put among the children.

· Those who do not turn away from their father must be children. Servants go, but sons abide.

Thus the wisdom of our gracious God, by regeneration and adoption, answers the difficult question.

III. HERE, WITHOUT QUESTION, IS A MATCHLESS PRIVILEGE.

We are put among the children.

1. We are indeed made children of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

2. We are as much loved as the children.

3. We are treated as the children.

· We are forgiven as a father forgives his children.

· We are clothed, fed, and housed as children.

· We are taught, ruled, and chastened as children.

· We are honored and enriched as children.

4. We are placed under filial obligations: To love, honor, obey, and serve our Father.

This should be regarded as a high honor, and not as a burden.

Let us admire the grace which puts us into the family.

Let us enjoy the privileges which this secures to us.

Let us act as loving children should do.