Month: February 2017

We Must Acknowledge Our Wickedness and Change Our Ways

Scripture: Jeremiah 14: 17-18, 20-21

Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.(17)  If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.(18)   We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.(20)  Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.(21)

Scripture Commentary: It’s not easy to acknowledge our wickedness

Jeremiah interceded for the people. He asked God if Judah’s repentance might bring His help, but God refused. The people’s insincerety, wickedness, and stubbornness parted them from God. They knew God wanted to bless them, and they knew what God required from them in order to receive the blessing. The people wanted God to do his part but they did not want to do theirs.

Do you think, for a moment, God forgot his covenant with them? Do you think He would ever forget His promise to us? God never forgets, but we constantly forget our covenant with him. It’s easy to express sorrow for wrong actions, especially when we want something. It’s not easy to acknowledge our wickedness and stop the wrong action.

God will forgive those who are truly repentant, but hypocrites will be severely punished. You must identify your wrong action, ask for forgiveness, and make a change in your life. That is true repentance.

Remember these three important lessons:
1) We can reveal our true hearts to God in prayer
2) God expects us to trust him, no matter what
3) We are here to influence others for God

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jeremiah Chapter 14

Obey The Gospel And Let the Lord Save You

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 17-19

For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinners appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Scripture Commentary: God is faithful and we can count on Him

A life of sin and indulgence in earthly desires can only unfold in the house of Satan. The ungodly will spend eternity in Satan’s house if they do not repent and ask for forgiveness.

We are all sinful by nature. We constantly go against God and not everyone recognizes their wrong ways. Not everyone repents. God allows believers to sin for the experience of consequences. God forgives those who sincerely repent. Allowing us to sin shows us our potential to do wrong. The experience encourages us to return to God. Smaller sins strengthen us against bigger temptations and condition us to truly trust in Him. If we know God will stand by us in the drizzle, we are more likely to rely on him in the storm.

If Christians need discipline from God, how much more will those who do not obey the gospel need to receive? It’s not quantifiable. Only God’s mercy saves us. People who reject Christ still have a chance at eternal life through repentance. We know God is faithful and we can count on Him to fulfill his promise to us. He will always welcome us home, as long as we are willing to do what is required to be in his kingdom.

We must follow this as a path to salvation:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 4