Jeremiah 7:5
The LORD told me to stand by the gate of the temple and to tell the people who were going in that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: Pay attention, people of Judah! Change your ways and start living right, then I will let you keep on living in your own country. Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you. I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other. Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows. Don't kill innocent people. And stop worshiping other gods. Then I will let you enjoy a long life in this land I gave your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s all about who you know. Isn’t this how many of us operate? You get into certain organizations or events because you know “the guy” in charge… or your dad was a friend of someone who is involved. Or you vouch for someone because, “His brother is a friend of mine,” or “I know her mother.” A lot of people go through life playing the system and riding on the coat-tails of other people in this manner.
But this passage is telling us that we can’t do this with God. When it comes to our own Christianity, it doesn’t matter if our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances are all faithful disciples of Christ. It’s not enough that your parents belong to such-and-such church or your wife goes to worship every Sunday. If you want God to bless you and protect you… if you want to get into heaven and spend Eternity with your Heavenly Father... YOU have to change your ways and make a commitment to serve Him. Nobody can do this for you… and you can’t stand in for anyone else.
God sees everything we do. He hears every word we speak and knows every thought we create. He knows our heart… when we are being sincere – and when we are playing a game. But our relationship with God is no game. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit – or expect Him to protect us when we merely “go through the motions.”
It’s time for us to renew our commitment to God. It’s time for us to forget about invoking the name of others or expecting anyone else to serve in our place. We need to get serious about our faith and make real and lasting changes. Are you ready to do this? Haven’t you played around with your relationship with God long enough? If you are willing to make the change, He is willing to meet you more than halfway. How can you refuse such an amazing offer… and why would you? Step out in faith today. Make the needed changes and face God with confidence in His promises… and His amazing protection.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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