“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 7:3–4, ESV)
In my time of witnessing to people, I would often find some with a misplaced trust. I would begin by asking a question, “Do you know for certain that if you died tonight that you would go to heaven?” They often would answer, “Yes.” Then I would ask them, “How do you know for certain?” or some similar question. Sometimes I would hear this response, “I’ve been a Christian my whole life!” Digging a little further, many would say, “I’ve always attended church and I’m currently a member of ______ church!” One time I asked a lady to tell me the name of that church and she said, “The green one on the corner.”
Here is the problem with this typical response. These folks are trusting in participation in an institution rather than the One for whom the institution was established. Being a member of a church and having regular attendance is great, but if this is what one is trusting for eternal life, there is a huge problem. This was the problem that the Jewish people had at the time of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah brought the word of the Lord to the people that a judgment was coming due to their apostasy, idolatry, and disobedience. The Babylonians were to come from the north and attack the nation bringing severe destruction. However, the nation’s error is captured in these words, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.” They felt that since the Temple was in Jerusalem, that they had protection, that God would never allow the destruction of Jerusalem since it was the center of the nation and the worship capital. Yet their hearts were far from the Lord and for this reason, the judgment would come.
The Lord gave them another opportunity to repent and be saved from the coming destruction.
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another . . . then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7, ESV)
They had the opportunity to repent, but they would not. The were told, ““Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail.” (Jeremiah 7:8, ESV)
This is the problem that many have today. They have fallen into the trap. They believe that mere attendance in church is sufficient to protect them from the repercussions of sin in this life and the eternal judgment to come. What is required? Participation and membership is a church is great, but it will not save. Salvation is found only in the name of Jesus. One must trust Him and His finished work on the cross. This saving faith will result in a person entering the New Covenant, through which Jesus’ shed blood cleanses one from sin, and gives the believer a new heart through the indwelling Spirit. This results in a heart of repentance resulting in a transformation of one’s perspective on life.
Renewing the Heart 