Taking Shortcuts

Posted on 13 Nov 2017, Pastor: Rev. Derek Geldart

We are told in Scripture to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). One of the criteria in becoming a born-again believer is to surrender and make Jesus Christ the Lord of one’s life. We demonstrate not only our allegiance but also our love for God by following His commands (1 John 5:3). So, what happens to a Christian when their allegiance shifts back towards a love of self and of this world (Ephesians 4:22)? While God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love;” one cannot expect Him to forever ignore one’s sins. When God removes blessings or disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6), how does one get His anger and wrath to subside? Is it not as simple as confessing one’s sins to be cleansed and forgiven? In examining Jeremiah’s words to Judah, we are going to find out that approaching a holy God and asking to be forgiven is only granted when our hearts are no longer brazenly prostituting ourselves to loving this world but instead through true repentance that comes from offering a broken and contrite heart!