How shall I put thee among the children.
Put among the children
I. A most delightful condition of privilege and enjoyment.
1. A real and endearing relation, not a mere figure or shadow. Though all worlds wait on His will, God’s heart is a Father’s heart; and its home, its place of joy and singing, is “among the children.”
2. This relationship implies dependence. The two principles of trust and obedience constitute the great requirements which the Head of the redeemed family urges upon all His children.
3. The relation between child and parent implies solemn obligations. The children of God are required to exhibit a character and conduct in harmony with their illustrious relationship. The glory of the Father, the honour of His name; the welfare of the whole household of faith; the furtherance of sacred truth in the world are interests dear to their hearts. They are partakers of the Divine nature, “each one resembles the children of a king.”
4. This relation implies the possession of privileges--“If children then heirs,” etc. All that the Jew possessed in Canaan, all that Adam delighted to see in Paradise, falls short of the expectations of the believer. The inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and it fadeth not away.
II. Some formidable difficulties in the way of conferring the blessings of sonship.
1. This relation between God and man is not natural “By nature children of wrath,” etc.
2. Justice demands the infliction of the penalty of sire Mercy pleads for compassion and forgiveness. In the courts of earthly sovereigns there is no escape from the dilemma. The sovereign can punish, and thus inflict justice; or pardon and show mercy. But in Christ all the requirements of law are satisfied, while the freest manifestation of mercy is made.
3. The character and condition of the sinner himself. Shall the leper be brought into companionship with the pure and the sound? Shall the outcast and the profligate nestle with the virgin and the holy?
III. The solution of the difficulty and the process of attaining the full enjoyment of the privilege. “Thou shalt call Me, My Father.”
1. Prayer is the birth cry of the soul. Like that first welcome sound by which the mother knows she has a living child. Every kind of sorrow and distress have driven men to their knees, but there are no prayers, for their fervour, like those which are the fruit of conviction of sin.
2. The spirit of adoption. “My Father.” Not by the thunders of Sinai, or the curses of Mount Ebal, are men preserved in Christ Jesus, but by the all-powerful grace of the Holy Spirit.
3. The salvation of a child of God is evinced by the spirit of perseverance. (W. G. Lewis.)
Among the children
I. A difficult question.
1. As to the Holy Lord.
2. As to the unholy person.
3. As to the family.
4. As to the inheritance.
II. A wonderful answer.
1. 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.
4. It is effectual for its purpose.
III. A matchless privilege.
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.
(1) We are forgiven as a father forgives his children.
(2) We are clothed, fed, and housed as children.
(3) We are taught, ruled, and chastened as children.
(4) We are honoured and enriched as children.
4. We are placed under filial obligations--to love, honour, obey, and serve our Father. This should be regarded as a high honour, not a burden. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Regeneration
is not a change of the old nature, but an introduction of a new nature. Not “Ishmael changed,” but “Isaac born,” is the son of the promise. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Adoption
Whom God adopts, He anoints; whom He makes sons, He makes saints. (Watson.)
A wonderful change
One of my parishioners at East Hampton, converted after having lived, through three or four revivals, to the age of fifty, and having given up hope, used to exclaim for several weeks after his change, “Is it I? Am I the same man who used to think it so hard to be converted, and my case so hopeless? Is it I? Is it I? Oh, wonderful!” (Lyman Beecher.)
The true source of salvation
I. How the obstructions to the restoration of the Jews shall be surmounted.
1. God Himself presents to them the formidable difficulty. Jews always obdurate. How restored to favour of God?
(1) Extent of their wickedness forbids it.
(2) Honour of God forbids it. To admit rebels to privileges encourages rebellion.
2. These obstacles, though formidable, shall be surmounted. As God spake the universe into existence, so will He form the “new creation.”
II. How alone the difficulties in the way of our salvation can ever be overcome.
1. There are immense difficulties. Our wickedness equals or exceeds that of the Jews.
2. But these shall be overcome. God will interfere for us in way of sovereign grace and by the exercise of His almighty power.
Conclusion--
1. To those who question the possibility of their own salvation. God is able.
2. To those who have entertained no such fears. You think salvation easy; but only Christ’s blood could atone for such sin as yours; only the Divine Spirit could renew your depraved heart.
3. To those who profess to have been brought into the family of God. Obey and trust Him, as your “Father”; let nothing lead you to “turn away from Him.” (C. Simeon, M. A.)