Proper Incentives

Scripture: And the Lord said to me, "Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah." Jeremiah 3:11

Observation: Jeremiah has just spoken the difference between Israel and Judah in their unfaithfulness. Israel was unfaithful, pursued other gods, a did not return to the Lord, so they were destroyed. Judah saw this, and decided to copy the behavior of Israel, but when threatened with destruction attempted to return to God only to preserve themselves. In other words, Israel only chose to be faithless toward God, but Judah attempted to manipulate God.

Application: We can never lie to God about our intentions when it comes to seeking his love and his promised salvation through Jesus. We need to seek these things out of our love and honor toward God ... through the truth that he is Lord, we honor and obey him, and seek his love. We must not pursue the gift of love and eternal life out of a fear of death, or desire to escape the punishment of hell, or a wish to have burdens of life removed from our shoulders.

In other words, actions matter. If we are honest in our actions - and upon correction turn away from the actions - we can be redeemed. However, if we are deceitful in our actions, and turn away from them not to be redeemed but to avoid punishment - the Lord does not honor that behavior and will not remove the punishment.

I know there are actions and thoughts I need to turn away from. In my mind, I want to turn away from them because I know God hates that behavior and wishes me to be honorable, kind, and gentle toward others. Therefore, I need to keep this lesson firmly in front of me, and that is to keep the love of God central in my attention and the focus of my repentance. I do seek the will of God out of my love for him, and my desire to serve him as a direct result of his love for me. I will continue to focus on his word, his law, and his love as the driving force behind my behavior and thoughts.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us loving instruction, fatherly guidance, and eternal promises. I seek to repent of my sins and align myself to you will at all times, as my daily response to your love and goodness and grace. My I seek your face in all things, at all times, in your ways. Amen.