Jeremiah 21:8 And to this people you shall say, Thus said the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. I. IT IS GOD'S PREROGATIVE TO MARK THE PATH IN WHICH HE WOULD HAVE US GO FOR BOTH WORLDS. 1. In His written Word. (1) By doctrinal statements. (2) By warnings and invitations. 2. By providence and mercies: examples and instances. II. THE PATH TO LIFE IS CLOTHED WITH MANY ATTRACTIONS. 1. It is a plain way, though narrow. Only difficult and perplexed to those who are reluctant to renounce the burden of their sins and the corruption of this evil world, or would fain invent some method to reconcile the discordant claims of God and mammon, earth and heaven. 2. It is an old way, and well trodden. From Abel's time. 3. It is a safe way; for, though much contested, it is Divinely guarded. 4. It is a pleasant way. III. WE ARE DAILY ADVANCING IN ONE OR OTHER OF THESE PATHS. There can be amidst the diversities to the race but two broad divisions: wise and foolish; wheat and tares. A worldly man is one that has his chief treasure upon earth, while God and eternity are forgotten. Whereas the Christian is one who has been converted from the error of his ways; his mind has been enlightened to discern the evil of sin and the love and loveliness of Christ, and he is anxious to lay up his treasure and hopes in heaven. IV. THE DOOM ON THE IMPENITENT WILL BE AGGRAVATED BY WEIGHTY CONSIDERATIONS. 1. The path of life and death was clearly set before you, and rejected by deliberate choice. 2. The solemn providences and warnings you have abused. 3. The vanity and worthlessness of pursuits for which salvation was rejected. 4. The changeless eternity of the state to which you go. (S. Thodey.) Parallel Verses KJV: And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. |
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