What Manner of Repentance?
TEXT: JEREMIAH 35:1-19
“But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever “ (Jeremiah 35:6).
The children of Judah and Jerusalem had been constantly stiff-necked; they had spurned at God’s invitation to serve Him only.
In His determination to show Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the manner of obedience required of them, God sent Jeremiah to test the Rechabites with strong drink. The sons of Rechab, with one voice said: “we will drink no wine....”
The rebellious Jerusalem and Judah had consistently disobeyed God. They had turned their ears against the call to obedience.
Many people today make empty claim of Christianity, hiding under the cloak of religion to wreak havoc and bringing shame to Christendom. The doctrine of permissiveness which has dominated the entire Christendom is so much that people now throng the popular route which, sadly, leads to perdition. Our text today teaches the need to stand alone even when all around us have decided to do the wrong. We must not follow the multitude to do evil.
We must re-assess and review the type of Christianity that we profess. Do you still maintain a living relationship with the Lord? Are you still holding on to your previous convictions or you have jettisoned them because of prevailing economic realities? Those who easily compromise their faith in times of temptation and persecution are usually people who began the Christian journey without conviction.
Today, tell God to give you the genuine salvation that can make you stand in the time of storm.
Thought for today: Buy the truth and sell it not.