WHAT IS OUR PART IN ORDER FOR GOD TO RESPOND?
5But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; (Jeremiah 7:5 NLT)
I am sure that God has no difficulty in applying his mercy. But it is possible that our actions as a society get in the way.
We want God to serve us and act on our behalf, but only to continue living the “American dream”, or to return to the old flawed way of living.
Let’s look at some things that God mentions that we should evaluate as a society:
“ButI will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds,
- and start treating each other with justice;
- only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows;
- only if you stop your murdering;
- and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.
“‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie! 9 Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, 10 and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?”. (Jeremiah 7:5-10 NLT)
Something to think about!
5But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; (Jeremiah 7:5 NLT)
Think about it:
What bad habits do you need to change?
What bad deeds do you need to repent for?