Apostasy

 

    Apostasy is probably a word you don't ever hear because it will not make anyone who uses it popular.  Apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.  In Jeremiah's story it is about how God's people turned away from God.  They basically forgot everything He ever did for them and rejected Him from their lives. 

    Once upon a time people loved God and lived in a honeymoon phase.  Somewhere in life's journey generation after generation deserted Him.  The fruits of the Spirit disappeared as God's chosen people's faith hollowed out.  They became ordinary as they became more and more unworthy of God.  Look at it today, it is almost like it playing out all over again.  Have we really learned anything?

    People find or create idols to follow instead of God.  Then people go and pray to God and get all mad when they think He is not answering.  The reality is that He is answering.  It just is not what you want to hear, so you ignore it.  How long will we live pretending He is not God before we are forced to face the consequences.  We sit here destroying His gift to us (life and the world) and then complain that it is not perfect.  When will we accept our part in the world being the way it is.

    We need leaders that know God and will not rebel against Him.  They need to lead their people back to God and demolish worthless idols from their nations.  We need to take personal responsibility over our lives and action where we are called.  Apostasy against God is a great sin because you will never truly be separated from Him while you are alive.  Pretending He is not there doesn't change the reality.  It is wicked and it will backfire.  

    Why should you avoid evil?  Evil brings bitterness and anger to your heart.  You become resentful.  It opposes everything that is good and right in the world.  Ultimately it defiles you from the inside out and pushes you more and more away from God.  

    When evil comes into your presence it is good to have on the armor of God, but if it invades your life then you need to look within and discover the weakness of your armor.  Admit that you have disgraced yourself before God, lived independently from Him, or forsaken His love.  Then you can confess to Him and be cleansed.  Then you can work with God in mending your armor.  If you choose not to, then it will fall apart over time.  We are unstable without God.  Don't pretend that you can handle this world on your own.

    Living in sin will not last unchecked forever.  Don't fall down the rabbit hole.  We all sin, but not everyone makes it a part of their lifestyle.  Even Christians that live in sin pretending it is okay because they are Christians will not be protected from judgment.  They are rejecting God's authority over their lives just like the unsaved.  It is better to remember that God is the only permanent thing in your life and let the momentary pursuits of happiness go.  In the long run, it is much better and more satisfying life for you.

Jeremiah 2