For my people are foolish. They don’t know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil, but they don’t know how to do good. Jeremiah 4:22 WEB
Devotion to sin is just as possible as devotion to God. Even those who God calls his own can fall away into sin. This is the circumstance in this passage from Jeremiah in which the Lord says of Israel, “they don’t know me.” The prophet revealed that the people of Israel had backslidden in their relationship to the Lord. They still may have professed to be in relationship with God, but their lives were no longer demonstrating devotion to the Lord. This is why the Lord proclaims, “they don’t know me.”
Christians may struggle with backsliding too. The good news is that if we turn to God and away from sin, we can re-establish our relationship with him. The Lord is faithful to forgive the repentant person and nation.
Remembering God’s words from the prophet Jeremiah, “they don’t know me,” consider the words of Jesus from Matthew 7:22-23 in which Christ says, “Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ WEB” None of us want to hear those words. If anyone is living in sin, let that person turn to God and ask forgiveness, returning to a life of obedience to God’s word. As Christ said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments. WEB”
The Fruit of the Spirit
We are saved by grace through our belief in Christ and transformed by the Holy Spirit to live lives that are pleasing to God. After, it is our good fruits that make us known to mankind as children of God. The Bible teaches us what these good fruits are in Galatians 5:22-23 saying, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. WEB”
It grieves the Lord when we fall away in sin. The Lord does not desire to say of anyone, “they don’t know me.” For this reason, God provides a way to restoration described in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. KJV”
Prayer: “Father God, you are righteous and merciful. Thank you for loving me. I humble myself in your presence and seek you alone. I reject sin and commit to living a life that pleases you. Forgive my offenses as I forgive those who have offended me. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: We Are Dust
