Do the people understand who they should really be fearing? It’s not the army from the north, it’s the LORD himself. They’re being told to “Run for your lives!” That sounds dire, like a message they should be listening to. But they are stuck. Stuck in sin.
These people are truly who the apostle Paul likes to describe as “slaves to sin.” It’s like they are captive to it and can’t break the chains. They aren’t even trying anymore to break the chains because it has become comfortable and “normal.” Romans 6:16 reads, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”
I read a quote in Elizabeth Achtemeier’s commentary on Jeremiah that really resonated with me. “Sin has so stopped their ears that the Word of God, meant to be a merciful gift of sustenance and guidance, has become instead an object of distaste and disgust, useless to prompt their repentance.” Take a moment to let that statement resonate in your brain.
Sin has the power to do that to us, too. Our ears will be closed, and our eyes blinded to the truth. Bad things can happen when we begin to avoid the Bible for fear our wrongs will be uncovered. What “quick thrill” is worth being separated from God? Have you ever turned away from your faith because of your sinful behaviors?
We are so fortunate to be living in the days after Jesus came and died for us. We belong to the New Covenant that saves us from condemnation when we trust in Jesus. So much of the wisdom we need for life is found in God’s word. Sadly, people still ignore the Bible and put their trust elsewhere.
Paul message in Romans 6 continues in verses 17 and 18 as follows: “Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” Hallelujah!
We can focus on Jesus and trust him to pull us up out of the muck of sin. We don’t have to be stuck anymore. Jesus saves us, and the Holy Spirit convicts us and gives us the power to be free.
Let’s pray … Lord, I trust you are leading me and rescuing me from my sin. Use me to show others the great benefits of tapping into your strength. Help me to stay the course, to be your servant helping others. Let me be your hands and feet to serve those whom you love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
