Eternal Life or Father’s Wrath
A lot of things are happening in the world these days – economy, environmental, political, and religious events fill our newsletter as well as the news stations and papers all around the world. Many say it’s not what it really is (tribulation) and they keep the blinders on. However, we are in the midst of the tribulation and even though some don’t want to believe it, we were given the warning long ago in the Word. This warning is to tell us that the time is near and to repair and guard our hearts in preparation for eternal life. This is a warning from the love that Father has for Her children. Father wants for us to follow the path set before us by Christ and doesn’t want to lose us to eternal death. Father loves Her children deeply and doesn’t relish in their demise.
Jeremiah 9:1 ~ If my head were water, my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night over the slain of my dear people.
Humanity in general has spiraled downward and many have lost sight of our Heavenly Father.
Jeremiah 9:3 ~ They bent their tongues [like] their bows; lies and not faithfulness prevail in the land, for they proceed from one evil to another, and they do not take Me into account. [This is] the LORD’s declaration.
Father loves us so much that She sent Her only son Christ Jesus who sacrificed himself to bear the brunt of all our sins. In that way, we would be set free. We were given the example of his life and his teachings from Father Herself. It was the gift of a fresh start. This is why we can diligently try to live righteously as Father has asked us, and gain eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. We all need to get rid of the negativity and allow our hearts and minds to be filled with all that is good – only that which comes from our loving Father. This world has the mentality of individual success and every man for himself. Even new religions are based on control belonging to the people and doesn’t realize the power and necessity of Father in their lives. It’s true that there is always something positive to see from the way Father works in our lives and the lives of others. Guard your hearts though, because many find it easier to do as they please no matter what it means to others. The only one we can truly lean on is Father and Her consistent love and guidance for each one of us.
Jeremiah 9:4-6 ~ Imminent Ruin and Exile. Everyone has to be on guard against his friend. Don’t trust any brother, for every brother will certainly deceive, and every friend spread slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to speak lies; they wear themselves out doing wrong. You live in [a world] of deception. In [their] deception they refuse to know Me. [This is] the LORD’s declaration.
When we are open to the works of Father, we can change (refined) from bad ways and take on the righteousness of the ‘new man’ that follows Christ’s example. We can grow in faith and love. We can have the closer union with Her as we lean on and trust in Her daily.
Refine is defined as “to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities” and a test is “a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.”
Notice that in the following verse ‘refine’ is mentioned before ‘test’. Father works on us when we open ourselves up to Her. At that time we are being refined. The test, mentioned next, can be thought of as a good thing. It isn’t always fun to be tested, however, it is through testing that we are assessed and can learn how to grow forward and in closer union with Father.
Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I am about to refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of My dear people?
For those who do not follow the example of Christ and the guidance of Father, they are a corruption to what Father intended for mankind. They will be judged according to their heart condition and actions. This wrath is evident in current events taking place now.
Jeremiah 9:8-16 Their tongues are deadly arrows— they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peaceably with his friend, but inwardly he sets up an ambush. Should I not punish them for these things? [This is] the LORD’s declaration. Should I not take My revenge against a nation such as this? I will raise weeping and a lament over the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness grazing land, for they have been so scorched that no one passes through. The sound of cattle is no longer heard. From the birds of the sky to the animals, [everything] has fled—they have gone away. I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a jackals’ den. I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, an uninhabited place. Who is the man wise enough to understand this? Who has the LORD spoken to, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a wilderness, so no one can pass through? The LORD said, “It is because they abandoned My law I set in front of them and did not obey My voice or walk according to it. Instead, they followed the stubbornness of their hearts and the Baals, as their fathers taught them.” Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to feed this people wormwood and give them poisonous waters to drink. I will scatter them among nations that they and their fathers have not known. I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”
It’s awe inspiring when we’ve realized something has occurred in our lives by Father’s doing. It is important to be open to and aware of Father’s incredible glory because we are nothing without Her. Her glory is one way that Father carries us through this world – a blessing that comes from Her deep love and mercy. Lean on and trust completely in Father if you want eternal life.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 ~ Boast in the LORD. This is what the LORD says: The wise must not boast in his wisdom; the mighty must not boast in his might; the rich must not boast in his riches. But the one who boasts should boast in this, that he understands and knows Me — that I am the LORD, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. [This is] the LORD’s declaration.
I urge you to not be frightened into denial. To be warned is “To make aware in advance of actual or potential harm, danger, or evil.” That is why I say this warning from the Word is purely from love. This is so that, before it’s too late, we can be refined and follow Christ to the Father in the righteous life with concerted and diligent effort. In doing this you are reaching out toward our loving, merciful, and forgiving God who would love to hold you close to Her for eternity.