The Battle is Within you
The paths that we embark on bring us closer to God! If you’re not coming closer to God, you are being drawn closer to the world… which these days is moving away from God! Although none of us are perfect, we should avoid being double-minded!
Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
In Jeremiah 6:16 the prophet exhorts us with regard to the old paths. He uses the illustration of a man standing at an intersection, or at a fork in the road, observing. This man is probably a traveler, a pilgrim. At these crossroads he must decide which way he will take. There are different options. There are new ways, recently built wide and easy to travel roads. He observes, and he sees many people travel along these ways. He knows he must find the old path, and so he asks some of those passing by where the old path is. No one seems to be able to tell him. They are all set on following the new way. Finally, he finds an older traveler and asks him, and the man points him to a narrow well worn trail, hidden in the bushes. The man says, “That is the ‘good way.’ Yes, almost everyone else travels the new way, but that is the good way that will lead to peace and rest.” That is the figure.
Now, Jeremiah packs the verse with exhortations. “Stand!” – that refers to taking time to think when you come to a crossroad. “See!” – spend time observing and assessing where you will go before you blindly plow on, following the multitudes. “Ask!” – for the old paths, for the good way. Ask someone who will know. And then “Walk” in that old way. And even, “find” or seek rest for your souls.
Jeremiah brings this prophesy to Judah soon before their captivity in Babylon (about 3 or 4 years). Spiritually, things were a disaster in Judah. You notice that in the last two verses of chapter 5. This is God’s assessment of spiritual things: “A wonderful and horrible thing” has happened in Judah. Astounding. What? The prophets teach false doctrine, the priests rule with strong and merciless hand, and (here’s the disaster) my people love to have it so. The prophets cry, Peace, Peace, and there is no peace, the priests commit abomination (that is, they fornicate with young female worshipers), and are not one whit ashamed of this sin. And the people love it this way. How easy it is now to be a Jew. How easy. No demands. No care for poor. No requirements of holiness. Why, even the prophets and priests live as they please. It is a sad day!
Reference: http://www.prca.org/sermons/Jeremiah_6_16.htm
James chapter 4: James says that living by the world's wisdom causes disorder and evil in the world. He says that people who live this way are "cheating" on God and making themselves enemies of God.”
Romans 7:8 says, "But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness."
Romans 7-8 is about being released from the law and bound to Christ.
The law is holy and pleasing: Paul says that the law is holy and good because it shows people how sinful they are.
The law reveals sin: Paul says that he didn't know what sin was until the law told him not to covet.
The law is dead: Paul says that sin was dead before the law, but came alive when the law was given.
The need for deliverance: Paul says that he needs to be delivered from sin by God through faith in Christ.
The benefits of being in Christ: Romans 8 explores the benefits of being in Christ.
