History Has a Way of Repeating Itself

The last couple of weeks I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah has been my favorite book of prophecy for quite a while. After reading through the first eleven chapters, I remember why. As I have been making my way through the book, I've been amazed again at the similarities between the culture then and our culture today. I thought I would share a few things that have really jumped out to me.

Jeremiah 7:8-11 says, "Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, 'We are delivered!'—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD."

If that doesn't describe American Christianity, then I don't know what does. How many people do you know that live a life of constant rebellion against God, yet claim to be saved? They love to practice the very things that God hates, yet loudly proclaim that they are Christians. At the end of the passage above, God declares that he has seen what they are doing. We might deceive everybody around us. We might even deceive ourselves. Yet we cannot deceive God with our empty profession of faith. What does James say? James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." Works do not save us, but true faith always produces works.

It is troubling to read that this indictment came during the time of King Josiah (2 Kings 22). Josiah was a godly king who instituted huge reforms in the nation. He did everything he could to get rid of all pagan worship in the country. Listen to what the Lord said about him. 2 Kings 23:25 says, "Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him." Even though Josiah was such a godly king and had truly repented and turned to God, the people had not truly repented. They went through the motions, yet God indicted them for not turning with all of their heart. They were living a lie. They said they were following the Lord, but their actions proved that they were liars. They honored Him with their lips, yet their hearts were far from Him.

Jeremiah 5:1-5 says, "Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and look now and take note and seek in her open squares, if you can find a man, if there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her. And although they say, 'As the LORD lives,' surely they swear falsely." O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, but they did not weaken; You have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent. Then I said, "They are only the poor, they are foolish; for they do not know the way of the LORD or the ordinance of their God. I will go to the great and will speak to them, for they know the way of the LORD and the ordinance of their God. " But they too, with one accord, have broken the yoke and burst the bonds.

Just stop for a minute and think about all of the people you know (including yourself). How many of them are truly following Christ? I'm not talking about how many of them go to church, wear Christian t-shirts, and listen to Christian music. I'm talking about truly following Christ by turning away from all appearances of evil and striving for holiness and righteousness. The sad fact is, most are like the verses above. Even though they hear God's word week in and week out, they refuse to repent. They continue to do the same sinful things. They continue to love the very things God hates. From the wealthiest to the poorest, they follow their own sinful desires without any concern for God or His Word.

Jeremiah 6:13-15 says, "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace. Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the LORD."

What are we hearing from preachers and teachers these days? "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." Just like in Jeremiah's day, they are healing the people superficially. They are saying "peace, peace", yet there is no peace. Just repeat this prayer and ask Jesus into your heart. Gone are the warnings of judgment. Gone is the call to truly repent and believe on Christ. Gone is the call to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him. Sin is no big deal. God is a God of love so he will just overlook all of that. Right??? WRONG!! People have become so hardened by their sin that they are not even ashamed anymore. Their wickedness doesn't even make them blush. Yet they arrogantly think everything is okay between them and God. We must wake up and realize that God is holy and He does not take our sin lightly. We must heed His continuous warnings to turn from our sin in repentance and put our faith in Christ and the sacrifice He made for our only hope of salvation.

Jeremiah 6:16-20 says, "Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' And I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' "Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans, because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it also. For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me."

Let's not be like the people in these verses. Let's not ignore His continuous warnings. Let's not serve Him with empty words. Let's not claim that everything is alright with us and God when we cherish the very things that he detests. Let's return to the ancient paths of repentance, faith, and pursuing holiness. Let's look at one more passage from Jeremiah to sum things up.

Jeremiah 3:12-14 says, "Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "'Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD.I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. 14 Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion."

Even though we have rebelled against God and His Word, He still offers us mercy. Let's humbly acknowledge our sin and stop living a lie. Instead of holding onto it, it is time to see it for what it is. We must be disgusted by our sin, hate it, and turn from it. Let's trust in Christ as our only hope of salvation. He lived the perfect life that we couldn't. He payed the sin-debt for sinners when He died on the cross. And He defeated death, hell, and the grave when He arose three days later. Repentant faith in Him alone is the only way to escape the judgment that is surely coming. Let's deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him. Praise His holy name, for He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise!!