TRUST AND OBEY; FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY

Jeremiah told God's people Israel WHY they were hypocrites in chapter 7:8 - - He said, "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."

HOW did they "TRUST" in lying words........by faith alone, or by praying a 'sinner's prayer'?

No, for in verses 9-10, God gave specifics of their hypocrisy. He said:

"Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"

Then in verse 13, God stated, "And now, because ye have done all these 'WORKS'."

There is a most relevant lesson for us today as it relates to worship and daily life:

You are not condemned by 'faith only' any more than you are justified by 'faith only'. Sin is a transgressing of a command by either adding to, or taking away from that command. (cf. Romans 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4; & 5:17)

For those who have been preached that "trusting" is done thru a prayer, notice what Jeremiah was told NOT to do by God in verse 16:

"Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee."

False teaching is characterized by ONE DOMINANT ASPECT! IT DOWNPLAYS COMMANDS and OBEDIENCE! Jesus died for "the world" (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation TO THOSE THAT OBEY!!! (Hebrew 5:9).

You obey Jesus by obeying His commands (2 John 1:9-11).

Likewise, truth, or true teaching will stress commands; and obedience; this is what separates it from false teaching.

Trust and obey, are the principles upon which salvation has ALWAYS been purposed. We see this from another prophet, Isaiah:

THE CONDITIONS:

wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds; cease to do evil...

THEN:

learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression...

IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow - - - Isaiah 1:16-19

Read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7 to see the similarities of Jeremiah's day and our day.

Truly, there is nothing new under sun...

12/5/2020

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