For the past few weeks, I feel like God is wanting me to explore the book of Jeremiah, in particular, chapters 35 through 45. Jeremiah was one of the old testatment prophets who by all accounts, did not live an easy life. (He also wrote the book of Lamentations, a good read on a stormy, lonely, Saturday evening . . . ) He was constantly instructed by God to inform the people of Israel what God thought of their decisions and news flash, it was rarely positive.
The chapters I have been reading chronicle the disobedience that at times almost seem comical. When God tells them to stay where they are, they leave. When He instructs them to leave, they stay. When He reminds them that He alone is their protector and provider, they nod and them go right back to making their own choices, never obeying God, their Creator!
Here are a few examples of the people of Israel's views of God, as described in these ten chapters:
1) They believed in God. Or I should say, they believed in their perception of God. Yes, in times of crisis, they would call out for God's instruction and protection. They believed in His power, they just didn't believe in His goodness. He was always faithful to answer them, and they in turn were always consistent in their lack of obedience. So they created their own version of what they wanted "their god" to be, awarded Him the title of "god", yet failed at every turn, to acknowledge His power and wisdom in their situations. There was no fear of their god. They wanted God to rubber stamp their plans and promptly ignored His instructions when they ran counter to their desires.
2) Because of their oral histories regarding God, there was no lack of knowledge of God's power, yet that perception vanished in light of their current troubles. They had no trouble claiming to be the people of God, but that ownership was subject to their demands and goals.
3) Another crazy example of this double-minded view of God can be found in King Zedekiah when he begged Jeremiah to inquire to God for his counsel. (Chapter 38) Jeremiah explained, "Why should I ask God anything for the king when anything I tell the king you would not heed, and you would have me put to death." King Z reply was textbook, "As the Lord lives, who gave us our lives, I will not put you to death or hand you over to men who seek your life." Notice what the king does not address, Jeremiah's question was, "Why should I tell you anything because you will not listen . . . " The king gives God credit for creating and sustaining their lives, but he refuses to promise obedience to this God who created and sustained the king and his people.
And yet,
I do the very thing I'm so critical of in the paragraphs above.
When Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) He was acknowledging our fallacy of claiming to love God but then disregarding His instructions, commandments, and desires. That's not love, that is a limited affection for the personhood of God, minus the divinity of God. That is not the statement of a Christ-follower, that is the proclamation of a person who claims to know and love God, yet their lives hold no evidence of that devotion.
I can say I love God.
I can praise God for He is His.
I can pray to God, asking for His help.
I can read His word and acknowledge that it is truth.
I can acknowledge that He is my Creator.
I can even acknowledge His help in times of trouble.
Yet . . .
That is not a picture of a true Christ follower. That is a description of someone, who in their head, admits the existence of God but refuses to obey and devote their lives to Him. Satan meets that very same description listed above and he regards God as his mortal enemy.
Belief without devotion is an empty worldview, devoid of a heart that is submitted to their Creator. What rights does the creation hold over the Creator? Do you see how dangerous it is to dip your toe into the pool of truth and belief without commitment?
Yes, many people are deceived thinking they are saved when they aren't. Jesus gave us a glimpse of this when He said the following:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)
Here are people that call Jesus Lord and think they are saved. They think they are able to enter the kingdom of heaven, when in reality Jesus doesn't know them. They have been deceived about their salvation.
No one that truly trusts and believes in the Lord Jesus for salvation will find themselves rejected by the Lord. God desires that people are saved. He sent His Son so that people could be saved. He has shown incredible restraint from judging this wicked world, because He wants people to be saved. And He has not made salvation difficult so that only a select few can achieve it.
So for everyone that sees their need of salvation, who see that they can't obtain it by their own efforts, but that Jesus and Jesus alone paid the price they could never pay . . . to those that come bowed down humbly accepting this free gift granted in Christ Jesus alone, salvation is graciously given. The word of the Lord holds true and for those that are truly looking to Jesus for salvation (and not themselves, nor the church or priests or anywhere else) they shall never be put to shame. For them it is as simple as the dying thief crying out in humility in his last moments of life and being granted everlasting life!
