Jeremiah 3:12-15 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, you backsliding Israel, said the LORD… I. THE NATURE OF BACKSLIDING. 1. It is going back. (1) Easily. (2) Gradually. (3) Silently. 2. It is generally preceded by — (1) Pride (Proverbs 16:18). (2) Vain confidence (Matthew 26:33). (3) Negligence (Matthew 26:58). 3. A man may be — (1) Enticed by sinful pleasures. (2) Led back by sinful companions (1 Kings 11). (3) Driven back by sinful fears (Matthew 26:69-74). II. THE MISERY OF BACKSLIDING. 1. Heavy losses. (1) Self-respect. (2) Tender conscience. (3) Sweetest enjoyments. (4) Brightest hopes. 2. Severe disappointment. His holy expectations are lost, of what he might have been and done for Christ, and the after rewards. 3. Terrible disgrace. (1) Before the world, as a hypocrite. (2) Before the Church, as "the thief" (Jeremiah 2:12). (3) Before God (Psalm 51:3-9). III. THE REMEDY FOR BACKSLIDING. "Return," etc. 1. Immediately. (1) Delay makes your case worse. (2) God is willing to pardon. (3) The Church is waiting to receive you. 2. Humbly. (1) Confessing sin. (2) Abhorring sin. (3) Forsaking sin. 3. Believingly. Remember — (1) The love of your espousals. (2) The individuality of your relationship. (3) The love of your husband. (4) Your own duty. (The Study.) Parallel Verses KJV: Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. |
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