Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love… I. WHAT IS THAT WILL? To gather his children round him. God creates each individual soul only that he may have fresh objects on which to lavish his love. The "dower of blessed children" which God gives to us, he gives because he delights in the possession of children. And the Father of us all wants us to gather around him in the true home of our souls. II. THE MOTIVE OF THAT WILL. Love. What else can it be? III. THE FORM IT ASSUMES. Everlasting love. It wears not out, it "hopeth all things, beareth all things, endureth all things." IV. ITS EXERCISE. Drawing men to himself. How perpetually and by what manifold agencies this is being accomplished! "I, if I be lifted up... will draw all men unto me," said he who came to do the will of God. V. THE GREAT POWER WHICH THAT WILL EMPLOYS. Loving kindness. "With loving kindness have," etc. Seen most of all in the attraction of the cross of Christ. VI. THE RESISTANCE IT IMPLIES. There is such resistance - sin. VII. ITS ULTIMATE RESULT. "I have drawn thee." The Father will be able to say that of all his children when Christ's work is finished. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to his Father, that God may be all in all." - C. Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. |
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