Jeremiah 8:6-7 I listened and heard, but they spoke not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done?… How attentive God is to us and our actions! He sees His prodigals when yet a great way off; to Him there is music in our sigh, and beauty in a tear. Never do we have a desire towards God, or breathe a prayer to heaven, but God has been watching and hearkening for it: it was but one tear on the cheek, yet the Father noticed it as a hopeful sign; but one throb went through the heart, yet He heeded it as an omen that not quite hardened by sin. I. Words of EARNEST PERSUASION, urging all, and especially the unconverted, to ask this question, each for himself, and solemnly answer it. 1. Searching yourself can do you no hurt. Little can be lost by taking stock. 2. You may be a great deal better for the process: for, if your affairs are all right with God, you may cheer and comfort yourself; but there are many probabilities that they are wrong; so many are deceived and anything rather than self-delusion. 3. The time for self-examination is short: soon you will know the secret, death will rend off the mask. 4. Though you may deceive yourself, you cannot God. II. Words of ASSISTANCE in trying to answer the question. 1. To Christians: "What hast thou done?" You reply, "Nothing to save myself; that was done for me. Nothing to make a righteousness for myself; Christ said, It is finished! Nothing to merit heaven; Jesus did that for me before I was born!" Yes; but say, What hast thou done for Him? for His Church? for the salvation of the world? to promote thine own spiritual growth in grace? 2. To moralists: "What hast thou done?" You answer, "All I ought to have done! You may tell me of sins, but I have done my duty: observed Sabbath, said prayers, given to poor, etc.; and if good works have any merit, I have done a great deal!" True, if any merit; but very unfortunate that they have not, for our good works, if we do them to save ourselves by them, are no better than our sins. 3. To the worldly. "What done? It is very little I do amiss; now and then just a little mirth." Stop; let us have the right name for that mirth. What do you call it in anyone else? "Drunkenness." "I have been a little loose in talk sometimes!" Write it down, "Lascivious conversation." Sometimes you have been out on the Sabbath? "Sabbath breaking." You may have quoted texts of Scripture to make jokes of them, and used God's name in foolish talk? "Swearing." Did you ever adulterate in your trade? "Stealing." Wished you could get your neighbour's prosperity?" Covetousness, which is idolatry. Ever really prayed? Prayerlessness. Neglected God and Bible? "Despising Him." May the Spirit touch your consciences, and convince you of your sins! 4. To the unconverted: "What done?" By your sins you have destroyed your soul, resisted the Gospel, spurned Christ. Yes; and think what you have done to your children: taught them the ways of spiritual ruin. To your companions: tempted some to take the first stray step into folly, indulgence, iniquity. Doth not your heart quaff within you because of self-ruin and ruin of others? III. Words of AFFECTIONATE ADMONITION to those who have had to answer the question against themselves. 1. Solemn that the years roll on and yet you are unsaved. You, not altogether hardened, yet "done" nothing to determine for Christ, and lay hold on eternity. 2. There will be a time when you will ask the question, but it will be too late. If you only knew what they feel, and could see what they endure, who have lost opportunity and lost themselves, you would, ere too late, pause and ask, "what have I done?" As immortal spirits, bound for endless weal or woe, fly ye to Christ, seek for mercy at His hand, trust in Him, and be saved. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. |
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