1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God… I. The persons opposed are THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL, i.e., good and bad men. It is common in the Scripture to call persons, distinguished by any quality or acquisition, the children of those from whom it was originally derived, or by whom it was preeminently possessed. 1. This division is the most general and universal. 2. It is also a division the most serious and eventful. It overlooks everything adventitious, and considers only character. It passes by the distinctions of speech, complexion, rank; and regards the soul and eternity. 3. Let us consider, farther, what results from these relations. According as you are "the children of God, or the children of the devil," you are crowned with honour or covered with disgrace. 4. Upon these connections innumerable privileges or evils depend. Are you the children of God? Heaven is your home. And here you shall want "no good thing." But I leave you to fill up the remaining article, and to think of the children of the wicked one. I leave you to reflect upon the miseries they endure, from their perplexities, their fears, their passions, and their pursuits in life. I leave you to look forward to the horrors which will devour mere in a dying hour. II. THE POSSIBILITY OF ASCERTAINING IN WHICH OF THESE CLASSES YOU RANK. The children of God and the children of the devil are "manifest." Observe, it is not spoken of as a future, but as a present discovery — they "are" manifest. 1. They are manifest to God. It is impossible to impose upon Him; He "is not mocked." 2. They are manifest to others. The tree is known by its fruit. 3. They are manifest to themselves. It will readily be acknowledged that it is not possible for a man to be wicked without knowing it. (1) Is it not necessary for him to be able to know his character? If promises are made to a religions state, how can he claim these promises unless he can determine that he is in this state? (2) What is religion? An unintelligible mystery? a charm? an operation which passes upon us and leaves no trace behind? Is it not the most serious concern in which we were ever engaged? Is it not a general and continued course of action? The business of life, to which we endeavour to render everything else subordinate? Our prevailing aim? And is this incapable of being known? III. THE MARKS OF DISTINCTION BETWEEN THESE CHARACTERS. "In THIS the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil." In what? Not in temporal success. This is given or withheld too indiscriminately to allow of our knowing love or hatred. In what? Not in religious profession. Judas and Demas were both visible members of the Church of God. In what? Not in talking — not in controversy — not in a sound creed — not in the pronunciation of the Shibboleths of a particular party. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; he that doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." 1. The manner in which the subject is expressed. It is held forth negatively — nor is this without design. It reminds us that omissions decide the character, even where there is no positive vice. 2. The union of these excellences is worthy of our notice. We commonly see them combined in the Scripture. It is said of a good man, "He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." 3. From these arises a criterion by which we are to judge of the reality and genuineness of religion — not that these are the only marks which we are to employ; but all the rest will be delusive, if unaccompanied with this righteousness and love. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. |
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