Evening, December 22, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“They have acted corruptly toward Him, they are not His children, because of their defect; but are a perverse and crooked generation.” — Deuteronomy 32:5

What is the secret quality which infallibly differentiates the child of God from the world? It would be useless presumption to decide upon this in our own judgment; but God’s word reveals it to us, and we may walk with sure steps where we have revelation as our guide. Now, we are told concerning our Lord, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Then, if I have received Christ Jesus into my heart, I am a child of God. That reception is described in the same verse as believing on the name of Jesus Christ. If, then, I believe on Jesus Christ’s name–that is, simply from my heart trust myself with the crucified, but now exalted, Redeemer, I am a member of the family of the Most High. Whatever else I lack, if I have this, I have the privilege to become a child of God. Our Lord Jesus puts it in another form. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Here is the matter in a nutshell. Christ appears as a shepherd to his own sheep, not to others. As soon as he appears, his own sheep perceive him–they trust him, they are prepared to follow him; he knows them, and they know him–there is a mutual knowledge–there is a constant connection between them. Thus, the one mark, the sure mark, the infallible mark of regeneration and adoption is a hearty faith in the appointed Redeemer. Reader, are you in doubt, are you uncertain whether you bear the secret mark of God’s children? Then let not an hour pass over your head till you have said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Toy not here, I charge you! If you must flirt anywhere, let it be about some secondary matter: your health, if you will, or the title deeds of your estate; but about your soul, your eternal soul and its unending destiny, I implore you to be in earnest. Make sure work for eternity.