Day 211, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 7:1–9:15; 9:22–10:16; 26
More than Sunday Christians
We're glad when people come to our church on Sundays. It's encouraging for our minister and congregation. We hope they and we can experience a deeper relationship with God (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13).
But each of us has stuff going on in our lives. Many people struggle with sin and don't have a close relationship with God. Something is necessary for that to happen. We need to be more than Sunday Christians—more than show. This is a similar message God gave to Judah in today's Bible reading. She's the only remaining tribe of Israel.
Don't Deceive Yourselves
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!'" [In other words, the people are saying God will not destroy Jerusalem because his temple is residing here]
If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers forever and ever.
Even now if you will turn away from your idols and worship me only and obey my words I will let you stay in your inherited land forever.
But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 7:3-11, NIV).
The people deceive themselves. They believe if they just come to the temple and offer burnt sacrifices in ceremonial obedience to the Law of God, it entitles them to his blessings. But God says, “Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you” (Jeremiah 7:23, NIV).
Christianity is a relationship, not a religion
Like Judah, have we deceived ourselves into thinking that giving token allegiance to God is enough? Do we believe he doesn't see what we are doing in our private lives? God sees what we do all the time. A personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is required for us to receive his best. He offers us forgiveness, peace, spiritual life, and blessings. Our works show whether or not we know him (Matthew 25:31-46).It's not only ordinary people who are deceiving themselves; false prophets, priests, and scribes also join in the deception and delusion. Jeremiah speaks for God,
How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?
Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the [spiritual] wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says the LORD (Jeremiah 8:8, 10b-12, NIV).
Only God can save
Not only do the people of Judah deceive themselves into believing God will protect them; they also delude themselves into believing other man-made gods can save them from Babylonian destruction. When Babylon comes, however, they will destroy the idols and the temple. Then the people and leaders will cry, “Where is our God?” (Jeremiah 8:19a, 20).
This is what many people do today. When in trouble, they will seek deliverance from any source. However, when God does not deliver, they, too, cry, “Where is He?”
Like Judah, it's often because of our sins that judgment comes upon us. We must respond to God's gracious appeals while we still have time. “… the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal king. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath” (Jeremiah 10:10, NIV). Why not commit ourselves to the LORD? Only he can save our souls and deliver us from trouble.
Our message
After his prophecy, Jeremiah weeps, for Babylon will destroy the temple and take his people from their land. The reaction of the people to Jeremiah's message, however, is not repentance but wrath. “…The priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, ‘You must die!'” (Jeremiah 26:8, NIV).
As it was in the days of Jeremiah, most people only want to hear comforting words of peace and prosperity. These kinds of sermons, however, are deceptive. Whether or not we are preachers, we should all share the truth: God loves us and is kind, but he is also just and righteous. We should revere and please him so we can continue to experience his joy and favor.
Take-Away Lessons
- Spiritual life is a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion. Religious symbols don't save souls. God saves.
- We should not delude ourselves into thinking that God must protect and bless us.
- People with stubborn hearts and deceptive minds are delusional. They can't get away with anything because God sees what they do all the time.
- God gets no glee from punishing anyone. After being very patient, he must exercise justice because he is the righteous, holy LORD of the universe. With judgment, there's mercy, however, if we'll only listen and obey.
- If we aspire to be genuine in our worship, we must do it with a committed heart. Be more than a Sunday Christian. Be a real Christian 24/7.
Focus Verses
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV):
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: How can we be useful or useless vessels of God?
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