Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
On this Memorial Day Weekend, we recall all those that have gone before us, fighting for our liberties and the liberties of generations to come.
As the song lyrics go, “All gave some; some gave all.” We are all grateful to those that have fought in all our wars since the War for Independence.
Our independence comes at the cost though of personal responsibility. Personal responsibility includes examining our own hearts, and taking others into consideration when making decisions. There are but few decisions we make that only affect us. Usually, decisions affect those close to us as well. We should always be asking ourselves, “Who will my decision effect?” Spiritually, it becomes easy to see how temptations may have far reaching results. All we have to do is think of Adam and Eve’s decision to eat a forbidden fruit.
As we return to our study in Jeremiah today, we shall see the results of God’s plan for Israel, and ultimately for us. This was His decision: Re-unify Israel; bring them back from Babylon; restore them to their land again, remind them of His faithfulness and undying love for them.
As Spiritual members of God’s Chosen People, grafted in to all His promises, we will share in all the benefits of God’s Chosen, and because of Jesus Christ, enjoy a liberty from the bondage of sin. It was Jesus who went before us to fight the battle for our minds, our bodies, and our souls. There is no payment we can repay to Him, except with our loyalty to Him, our obedience to His will, and our love because He loved us first.
Thousands have fought and died for our physical freedoms in our nation. Only Jesus Christ chose to die for our Spiritual freedom from sin.
“And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” - 2 Corinthians 5:15
God continues his message of encouragement by addressing all Israel – not just Northern Israel. He tells them, as it were, that as they leave the land for their time in exile they should remember the way they take. Why? Because their descendants are coming back that very way some day. Verses 21-22. That’s the promise of God.
Jeremiah states that all Israel will enjoy a joyful return to their land. We have watched the regathering of Israel, and even now God's Spirit is resting upon the church. The church is God's instrument upon the earth until the Lord takes His church out. When He does, He will put His Spirit again upon the nation Israel as He deals with them once more nationally. In that day God will make a new covenant with them. He will change their hearts, and write His law upon them. A new heart, a new nature, and upon this New Covenant that God has established with us, will also be established with the house of Israel in that day.
