465. JER 31:12. THE CHURCH THE GARDEN OF THE LORD

Jer_31:12. The Church The Garden Of The Lord

"As a watered garden."’97Jer_31:12.

The world is a dreary, sterile wilderness. Here nothing spiritual and holy thrives or flourishes. Under the curse, it yields briers, and thorns, and noxious weeds. Sin blighted the moral creation of God, and turned the Eden of the Lord into a barren desert. Through the intervention of divine mercy, God has set on foot a scheme of merciful renovation. He has sent down the riches of his grace, that earth might again become the paradise of holiness and bliss. His kingdom set up in the world, is the separation to himself of the called and regenerated children of men. United in the fellowship of the gospel, they constitute his spiritual church, and appeal in our wilderness world as the "watered garden" of the Lord.

I. As a Garden the Church is separated from the World.

Originally like the waste, howling wilderness; now distinct and separated, called out of the world as to spirit and character The church is in the world, but not of it Not like it. Separated by a prominent line of demarcation. This separation is to be manifest, as unlike the world as the garden is unlike the barren heath.

II. As a Garden the Church is surround ed by a protective Fence.

Otherwise it would be a prey to wild beasts. It would be a thoroughfare for every rude foot. It would become a waste, a desolation. The church of Christ is fenced round, as with a wall of adamant. God is its keeper and defence. He is round about in the energy of his omnific power, and by the omnipresence of his irresistible Spirit. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem," &c., Psa_125:2.

III. As a Garden the Church is in a state of Cultivation and Improvement.

The association of believers as the church of Christ, is for their edification and advancement in knowledge and holiness. Besides, the church itself under every dispensation is in a state of progress until it shall reach millennial glory and perfection. For the church’s cultivation he sends his word, his messengers, and the benign influences of his benevolent providential administrations.

IV. As a Garden it is distinguished by its Trees and Plants.

The good man is likened to a lofty cedar, the useful olive, the fruitful vine, the fragrant myrtle, the thriving willow, the refreshing pomegranate, &c. Believers may be compared to beautiful flowers. Adorned with the graces of the Spirit, they are indeed flowers of loveliness pleasing and acceptable to God, and ornamental to the world in which they live. These plants are said to be the Lord’s planting, Mat_15:13. To be planted in the house of the Lord, &c. Psa_92:12-14.

V. As a Garden it is richly watered by the Blessings of Heaven.

Water is indispensable to fertility and growth. Without, nature is scorched up, and vegetation languisheth. The Spirit of God is often presented to us under this figure. Isaiah prophesied that in the wilderness "waters should break out," &c., ch. Psa_35:6, Psa_35:7. So Jesus in the last great day of the feast "stood up and cried," &c., Joh_7:37. See also Isa_44:3, Isa_60:1; and in reference to his vineyard the Lord says, "I will water it every moment," &c., Isa_27:3. These holy and spiritual communications are essential to our comfort, well-being, fruitfulness, &c. They keep the garden of the Lord ever verdant, and produce from the trees of the Lord an abundant increase.

VI. As a Garden the Lord expects a Return of Fruit from it.

All the labor and outlay of God’s goodness is to produce to the glory of his name the fruits of holiness. He expects holy graces to be manifested. Holy virtues to be exercised. A holy Spirit to be displayed. Holy conversation to be exemplified. That spiritual fruitfulness which will render fit for transplanting to the pure and blissful regions of the Eden above. And how reasonable is this expectation. And how important to us. Let us inquire if we render to the Lord the fruits of righteousness, and show forth his praises who hath called us out of darkness, &c.

Application

1. Do we form a part of the Lord’s garden?

2. Are we the plants of his right-hand planting?

3 Are we flourishing? Retaining our verdure, growing as the fir-tree or the cedar. Yielding fruit to God.

4. The impenitent wicked, as briers and thorns, he will consume in the day of his fiery indignation.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS