Salvation & Sin 08.17.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday August 17, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 7-10 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%207-10&version=9

Today we will read and learn about a plea for repentance; the punishment for Judah's rebellion; mourning over their sins; and the perishing of idols. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that salvation through Jesus does not give us the right to continue to live in sin. Salvation is a great gift and in order to thank God for it we need to change our ways.

At one time, all adult men who were physically able were required to attend three annual major events in Jerusalem. These events were to be full of joy and praise to God for His provision and protection but, this time Jeremiah did not give the crowd a joyful and warm welcome. "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever." (Jeremiah 7:3-7).

Sadly, the people considered Jeremiah's preaching far too narrow-minded and would not tolerate this prophet of God. They were so confident that God would never allow them to be destroyed since they were His chosen people that they had a false sense of security and continued to sin. However, the Lord's Covenant's did not give His people the license to do whatever they please and live in constant sin without changing their ways. Jeremiah warns them, "The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them." (8:9-13). Some today even call themselves Christians, but they harbor secret sins and have unsubmitted hearts, but you can be sure that God knows everyones heart.

People foolishly assume that each person should have the freedom to worship whomever, or whatever, he chooses according to his own conscience, but this fails to consider the fallen and corrupted nature of man's soul when not knowing the Word of God. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

Have a great and wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

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