How Pedigree Inoculates Against Responsibility
In the days of Jeremiah following the first wave of Jewish deportation to Babylon, the remaining Israelites in Jerusalem were admonished by the prophet to obey the Law of the Lord and turn from their evil ways. God spoke clearly through Jeremiah about the coming disasters of sword, famine, plague, and the destruction of the temple because of their blatant disobedience. Instead of heeding the warning and repenting before God, the people seized Jeremiah saying, “You must die!” (Jeremiah 26:8b). Regardless, “Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.’” (vs.12-13)
Jeremiah was a solitary voice speaking for the Lord at a dire juncture in Israelite history. He was threatened with imprisonment and death every time he spoke what the people did not want to hear. It was the ultimate cancel culture. The people enjoyed their lifestyle of immoral freedom with no accountability to what was just and right. They were Jews, God’s chosen people, and that pedigree put them above other nations. They conveniently forgot that God chose them not because of their righteousness, but because of God’s own grace and mercy that would be exhibited through them (De 7:7-8, 9:4-5). They were supposed to be witnesses and models for other nations to the love and grace of God. They ignored their responsibility.
There is much in Israelite history that mirrors the condition of the contemporary church. Christ followers have been saved by grace that we did not deserve to be walking testimonials to the goodness and righteousness of God. It is not a pedigree to do as we please, but a responsibility to say and do what reflects Jesus’ character. The criteria are not up to our discretion, but is outlined in scripture that cannot be cherry-picked. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Even so, various churches endorse homosexuality and transgenderism as being inclusive and loving, while God clearly calls it an abomination against the way he made man in His image (Le 18:22, Ro 1:26-27, 32). Inconvenient babies conceived through sexual promiscuity are killed before birth through abortion labeled women’s health/reproductive rights. God calls it child sacrifice and He wiped out ancient nations who practiced it. Personal integrity seems to be a thing of the past: many people have become convincing liars, forgetting that lies are Satan’s native language (John 8:42-44), and that no liar will enter the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Cor 6:9-11).
These are only a few of the many examples of blatant disobedience in the church today. Compounding the problem is that these biblical issues are now touted as political issues most likely to lessen the moral impact. If disobedience is contemporary freedom, then it is the freedom to self-destruct and take our country with us. What held true for the Israelites, still holds true for us who have been given even better promises (He 8:6-11). We have the responsibility to our Savior to align with Him in right versus wrong. One blessing of the tough personal work required is to be able to cast a vote for the governing officials who most nearly align with the heart of God and His Word. This is not a personality contest, but a matter of right versus wrong; the choice of freedom contained in God’s Law, or freedom from His Law that ends in oppression. How will history judge us?
WOW, so powerful and so needed now! Grateful🙏