Ver. 18.-Fatlier and children. No human relation is close enough and no human language is strong enough to set forth the union which subsists between God and his people. They are the temple, he is the Deity inhabiting, inspiring, and glorifying the sacred and spiritual edifice. Nay, he is the Father, 11nd they the sons and caughters whom he ho.s adopted and whom he loves. I. TBE NATURAL BASIS OF TfilS RELATION BETWEEN GOD AND ms PEOPLE. ThL, has ever been recognized by the thoughtful and pious. Even heathen philosophers and poets could say of themselves and their fellow-men, "We also are his offspring." Created by his power, sustained by his bounty, cared for by his wisdom and goodness, the children of men are also the children of Goel. II. 'l'HE REDEMPTIVE ELEVATION OF TfilS RELATIONSHIP. The old covenant contained intimations of the Divine fatherhood, as is apparent from the language of the text. But it was in the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that this truth was fully realized. "Ye are all the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ." The Spirit of adoption makes and seals the true believers in Christ as members of the Divine family. It is to his fellow-Christians that the Apostle John exclaims, "Beloved, now are we the children of God." It is in the case of those who are born anew of water and of the Spirit that the relation in question is made unmistakably evident ; the spiritual features of the Father a.re, so to speak, reproduced, and the subjection and obedience of the children evinces their sacred kindred. IIL THE INNUMERABLE PROOFS OF Goo's FATHERHOOD. God is not satisfied simply to be called our Father; he feels o.nd acts like a Father. He provides for his chi!tiren all that is necessary for their spiritual well-being and happiness, supplies their wants, directs their steps, defends them from danger, comforts them in sorrow. And, above all, he assures them an abode in his own-in the Father's-house, where they shall for ever enjoy the blessedness, the fellowship, the glory of e. sacred, secure, and everlasting home. Thus both in this world and in thtJ world to come the gracious Parent justifies his Name and fulfils his promises. IV. THE EXPECTF.D RESPONSE OF FILIAL LOVF. AND OBEDIENCE. Alas! how often is this withheld, or very partially and inadequately rendered! Yet in the hearts of God's true children there resides a principle which impels to childlike love and service. God has e. right to his children's reverence and service, gratitude o.nd love, devotion and consecration. "If I be a Father," he asks, "where is my honour?" Nothing that we can do co.n ever sufficiently express the sense we ought to cherish of the infinite love and pity, forbearance and generosity, of our heavenly Father. It is for his children to witness to his faithfulness, to hallow his No.me, to cherish his revelation, o.nd to do his will.-T. Ver. 2.-" Now . , , now." L Goo BAB PROVIDED A SALVATION FOB MEN. This salvation (1) is in Christ; (2) is to be obto.iued by repentance o.nd faith; (_3) embraces justification o.nd sanctification; (4) results in present joy, holy o.nd useful life; o.nd (5) in these in far higher degree, and eterno.lly, in heaven. II. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SECURING THIS SALVATION IS LIMITED TO THE PBESllT. 1. The present age. 2. In an individual to his brief life on earth. No unsaved one uan afford to waste o.ny time; no saved one will want to. Salvation is so great a matter 168 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS, [ou, VL l-18.
that it should be sought instantly. To miss it is to miss everythin,a. If we get nought but this, we should see to it that we get this. " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and' his righteousness " (Matt. vi. 33), IIL TENDENCIES TO PROCRASTINATE ARE OFI'EN STRONG. Such pleas as the following have power with not a few: (1) there is time enough; (2) after temporal matters are arranged we can attend to spiritual; (3) pleasure must be tasted, after that seriousness ; (4) it will be easier to repent and believe" to-morrow." 'l'his reflects the human view and the Satanic (for Se.tan is a great advocate of delay). The Diville is otherwise~ "Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." . .. IV._ THE . PERILS o~ DELAY. 1. Life may be .cut sho~t. speedily ~rid, suddenly; 2. Pamful sickness prior to death may render attention to spmtual concerns practically impossible. 3. Desire for salvation may pass away. 4. The heart may be fatally hardened. 5. The Spirit may cease to strive. " God is not mocked." V. THE STh"FULNESS OF DELAY. 1. What an insult to God I 2. What a return for the love and sacrifice of ChristJ 3. What a pernicious example I 4. What_an inJ'ustice t.o ourselves l • • •• • • ' • VL THE DIVINE UBGENOY. When Paul is intensely earnest in this .matter it is because God makes him so. It is the Divine mind declared by a servant.. And so of all faithful ministers; their voices are echoes of the voice of God. Chri~t on earth cried. "Repent." "Wherefore even as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if'yll- will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb. iii. 7, 8). The Divine message of salvation is pressed upon the instant attention of those to whom it is deJivered. We cannot wonder at the urgency of God, for: 1. God knows the tendencies of our nature. 2. God knows what loss of salvation involves.-H.