In the book of Jeremiah you get to read various speeches to Israel and Judah, warning them about Gods approachment. He would bring His judgment on them for their willful disobedience. Though some of his passages maybe rough to receive, there are words of hope.
The Lord had said to Jeremiah:
“Stand at the gate of the Lords house and proclaim this message…”
Jeremiah 7:2
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The Lord then gives the words to Jeremiah to speak to those worshippers whom passed through the temples gate:
“For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but also gave them this command: 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. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I have sent you my servants the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.’
“When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.
Jeremiah 7:22-27
So here has been something I have thought about many times and I am sure there are others like me out there who have asked this question:
Why keep preaching when NO-ONE will listen??
With Jeremiah I see it as this. In order to be obedient to God, Jeremiah had no other choice but to preach. It seemed God wanted Jeremiah to speak to unheeding people so that when the judgment finally came, they would be without excuse—couldn’t claim they weren’t warned!
Some messages are designed to convince, while others to convict. In Jeremiahs early sermons, they were opportunities for the people to change their ways. His later sermons announced the judgment to come.
Why then should we try to share what we know if they’re not willing to acknowledge what is being spoken? There have been so many times I felt like my friends or family, even those I didn’t particularly like, wouldn’t care to give a second to receive what I was speaking. It would irritate me to the point of questioning whether or not I was going about it the wrong way. I would pray and seek guidance on how to confront them into getting their attention, even if it were for 2 minutes.
We must get rid of our old habits and ways: Internet, drugs, unhealthy relationships that we shouldn’t be in, lust, perverse thoughts, cursing or anything that is in our lives, which we put above God….They, should no longer be a part of our lifestyle, or our thoughts. We should have no part in them whatsoever in any area.
“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,”
Romans 8:13
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Cor. 5:17
It is important if we’re saved to not only read study and teach the word of the Lord, but most importantly it is necessary to Live it.
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”
Titus 1:16
When they do not listen to the correction, should we just continue with our lives? I had always thought that we shouldn’t judge anyone “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you- Matt 7:1-2” …though I was wrong. God will judge those outside the church and is holding us responsible for those inside.
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”Expel the wicked man from among you”
1 Cor. 5:12-13
So to those who haven’t given their lives to the Lord or who have but continue to slip up, I ask you this: Why rely on this world for financial aid and security? Why hold on to everything you have for security purposes?
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“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless,
a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
Pleasure is part of Gods design, and it is good. But mere pleasure doesn’t give meaning to life. All that is gathered up, that is pleasing to you, is nothing more than an anesthetic to the harsh realities of life when not enjoyed for the glory of God!
