Introduction to the Devout Life Pt1 Ch5: The First Step Must Be Purifying the Soul
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 5
The people of God sometimes rush into spiritual peril, but not for lack of instruction, direction or warning for God has made that clear. They run into spiritual peril refusing instruction to prevent sin, refusing correction to repent of sin and refusing to return to be resurrected from the death from sin. “Will you not tremble at My presence?” Says the Lord. Conviction comes and we stand stiffed neck walking in the wisdom the world has devised, that science and theologians have concocted from the fabric of their imaginations and then there is that of our own stubborn self-love. Again Jesus is left standing outside of His church knocking and pleading to come in yet we leave Him outside so we can run headlong into a hell created for the devil and his angels. It is our own iniquities that have turned blessing away from us which implies blessing was moving toward us! It is our very sin that has withheld God’s gracious hand of providing good to us leaving with only the consequence of that good being withheld. If God is to withhold good then what is left? if not evil to fill the vacuum.
The willing progression is well laid out to the prophet and supports the indictment that God has laid upon His people.
Defiant - the attitude reflecting a disposition of devaluing the Word of God
Rebellious heart – it is as the sin of witchcraft says Samuel. It is an active taking authority away from the Word of God and assuming the false authority of self.
Revolted - Turning hard away from the Word of God and becoming hostile towards the things of God.
Departed - They have moved away from the Word of God and walking straight into the arms of destruction
They do not say in their heart, where the issues of life spring, “Let us now fear the Lord” herein is the root cause and error of the heart of God’s people. Hear this Christian, as certain as judgment is for a rebellious people so is blessing for a holy people and it is in these times when we are to seek the Lord while He may be found, echoing God’s words which close out the chapter, “What will you do in the end?”
Holy God, great is Your Name in all the earth! We rejoice in Your loving kindness that seeks our good and it is in Your kindness that we are led to repentance as You call to us in the morning, call to us in the evening and in restlessness of sleep, calling us to come near to be made new and spotless. Even in Your judgment is kindness for you will not make a complete end of us though you allow us the wages of our own sin. Raise us up O God in holy fear even now at this moment.
Good post Jim. Failing to draw near to the Lord is every area of our lives, only sets us up for failure.
one reason why people run into spiritual gods is that lack of self satisfaction
3 frustration
queen – I would go even further and suggest that self-satisfaction is only a symptom of the problem. There is a serious lack of contentment amongst God’s people to accept service to God in death of self and would rather live in a mindset of entitlement and rights.There are those that run to spiritual gods to some how prove a point to God in their arrogant pride as if to shame God – fools for certain.