"Your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing." - 2 Thessalonians 1:3b

Friday, August 24, 2012

Jeremiah 51-52 Fruit of Sin


by Jill Ice

Jeremiah 51 repeats the same old story. The new king – in this case, Zedekiah - hadn’t learned from history. He “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (verse two) and subsequently was cast out of the presence of the Lord (verse three).

The most heart-breaking fruit of sin is on display here because of Zedekiah’s choice -  separation from God.

But your iniquities have made a separation
    between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
    so that he does not hear.
Isaiah 59:2

When we sin we deliberately drive a stake in our relationship with God. We turn from sweet trust, communion with and dependence on God to set up idols (mainly ourselves) which can never satisfy. Communion with God is broken; separation is the replacement.

As we close the book of Jeremiah in our chronological reading, let us remember the lessons learned from it. Sin separates; repentance restores.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9


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