Jeremiah 7:3 - Eternal Escape

"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: "'Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land." (NLT)

This verse shows just how great the mercy of God truly is. Through the book of Jeremiah, God is telling the people of Judah the punishment they will receive for their horrific conduct and numerous crimes. A list of these crimes is provided a few verses later and include: murder, theft, and idol worship. Yet God, in his grace, gives them an out. God provides them with an escape, even as he is preparing their punishment.

Throughout the Bible, whenever God's people are performing evil acts and sinning against the Lord, God always provides them with a way out; he always offers to rescue them from their punishment. This doesn't mean that God is unwilling to actually carry out his punishments as he does punish his people many times, this shows just how great God's mercy is. No matter what they've done, no matter how horrible the activities that they take part in are, God still loves them and wants to give them a chance to escape punishment.

If God is willing to forgive these people, who were stated to be worse then the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (Lamentations 4:6) then this shows that there is nothing that anyone can do that will cause God to completely abandon them. God never gives up hope, he never sees evil and just destroys it. He always offers a way out.

This is an important lesson for us to understand, this teaches us how we should treat each other. It shows us that nobody is too sinful for God to forgive them. Whether they be murderers or thieves, whether they practice sexual immorality or oppress the less fortunate, God still extends an offer of forgiveness to them. Let us never forget that Jesus died for everyone while we were still sinners. This includes those who we feel don't deserve eternal life. Remember that we are all sinners and we all deserve the same fate (Romans 6:23). Forgive these people and pray that they repent and come to the one who forgives all.

However, perhaps your problem isn't with others, perhaps you don't feel like God will forgive you for what you've done. Let me encourage you, if you have sinned and you feel like God has given up on you, let me assure you that he hasn't, and he never will. No matter the sin, no matter how terrible it may have been, God will forgive you. Simply turn to him and repent and he will remove the sin from you. He will never hold it against you and he will welcome you home with open arms.

Nobody is sinless, nobody deserves God's forgiveness, yet that has never stopped God from forgiving us. If we fall he picks us back up, if we abandon him he waits for us with open arms. Nothing can ever separate us from God's love, so let us share his love with the whole world and lead others into a relationship with our Lord.

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you always are willing to forgive us. Help us to have this same attitude towards all people. Help us to forgive those who have caused us harm and we pray that they come to know you and repent of their actions. Lord we thank you for loving us even though we don't deserve it. Amen.