REFORM YOUR WAYS AND LIVE

REFORM YOUR WAYS AND LIVE

PROCLAMATION

“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.’ ”  Jeremiah 7:3 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  Jeremiah was told to stand at the gates of the temple and proclaim this message. (Jeremiah 7:1-2)  All those who entered the temple, which was filled with idols, were told to reform their ways and actions.  If they reformed, then The Lord God would let them live. (Jeremiah 7:3-7)  Going into The Lord’s temple and worshiping idols in there was detestable to Him. (Jeremiah 7:10-11 and 7:17-20)  He told them that He brought them out of Egypt and gave them commands to obey but they did not pay attention to Him.  They did even more evil than their ancestors. (Jeremiah 7:21-26)  Because of their idol worship and burning their children as sacrifices, He was going to destroy them. (Jeremiah 7:30-33)

APPLICATION

Today we need to understand that just going to the temple regularly will not save us.  If we continue to practice the same sinful activities, then we are still lost.  If we continue to ignore His Holy Word and disobey His commands, then we will also incur His wrath.  However, if we change our behavior and deal with each other justly, then He will let us live. (Jeremiah 7:5-7 and 2 Chronicles 7:14)