To Whom Do You Belong?

If you see someone wearing a red fireman hat, you could probably assume that person must be a firefighter. If you see someone wearing greasy coveralls, it would be easy to assume that person must be a mechanic. When I find myself visiting a hospital and see someone in a completely white outfit, with silent, white, running shoes, I would probably assume that person must be a nurse. Even during sporting events, there are rules requiring teams to wear different enough uniforms so as to be as distinguishable from each other.

What we see and observe in, on, or around others, usually serves as a means of identifying what they do, or to what organization or career they belong to.

This message from Jeremiah 10:23–11:17, shows the same story. Obedience shows identification.

We Are Not Our Own.

In our world today, many are trying to get us to believe that we are in total control of our lives. Society would suggest to us that no one can tell us what we can or cannot do. There are commercials and programs throughout the years, which have promoted the idea of “doing your own thing," "being your own person.” There was even one sometime back that was a beer commercial that used the phrase "be your own dog." Frankly, I'm not even sure what that meant.

Even among evangelical churches, there is a tendency among many, that the right of the individual supersedes the responsibility of the body. A few decades ago, a church in Oklahoma was sued by a woman who had actually confessed to being in an adulterous relationship. When the church went through the biblical process of discipline, with the goal being that of repentance and restoration, she withdrew her membership, then promptly sued the church. Her logic was that the church had no business sticking its nose into her personal life. Sadly, many individuals see the church as simply a means of providing benefit to them, without any thought of the church’s responsibility to them, helping to restore them to proper relationship with God.

Jeremiah, inspired by the spirit of God, Who by the way is always right, stated a response in Jeremiah 10:23 “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.”

We need to understand the background to this comment. The people of Judah had a strange idea that since God had chosen them, He certainly would not punish them as a people. They localized it from being personal to that of a place. How did they do this? They suggested that since the temple of the Lord was in Jerusalem, God certainly would not destroy that. They could conveniently look at all of the blessings of the past and assume that they would continue, despite the fact that they were walking on a different path than what they should have been.

The idea of corporate submission to God was unheard of, not considered by the people. The idea that they needed to submit themselves to godly living, since they served a living God, was foreign to their thinking.

How could they be so blind? It seems they had convinced themselves, that everything would continue as normal. After all, they were following most of the outward requirements of the law, by offering up the necessary sacrifices and a few other things. However, those areas that were not fitting in with the culture, they chose to believe those things to be outdated; thus they felt they could ignore those areas. Everything that got in the way of their personal freedoms, they chose to throw into the garbage can.

Even today, there is a prevalent philosophy that suggests that the Bible, as it is written, contains culturally irrelevant information, guidelines, and principles for today. As a result, many people, including many so-called Christians, choose to rewrite the Scripture in order to fit in with the current culture. This is nothing new, as we can see even from the Old Testament. If the people didn't like what the Lord said, as we see in Jeremiah, they would justify their wrong behavior and continue on the rebellious path.

Jeremiah was issuing a loud call back to a simple, basic understanding of life. That is, our life is not our own. Each of us, in today's time and place, ought to say the same thing. We need to understand that our life is not our own. We do not direct our own steps. Oh yes, it is important to plan and prepare. However, we need to remember what James said, "if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." In addition, we ought to heed Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

Just as in the secular world, nobody is above the law, so it is in the spiritual world. Just because we have a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, does not put us above God's requirements. If we dare to put God to the test and behave in ways that dishonor him, are we asking for destruction? In addition, we are not showing to whom we belong. Or are we?

We Need Correction.

Remember the time when David sinned by taking a census of the fighting men? God knew that there had to be some strong corrective action taken because of this sin. However, God gave David a choice of discipline. You might recall David's choice. According to.1 Chronicles 21:12–13, “either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.” David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.” David ended up choosing God's personal hand of discipline.

That is what Jeremiah is pleading with God at this time. Listen to Jeremiah 10:24, “Correct me, O Lord, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.” Jeremiah knows that God will not lose control and destroy beyond what is necessary. God is not interested in simply wiping people off the face of the earth like a bunch of ugly insects.

So what is God interested in? Throughout the Bible, we see that God is most interested in restoring broken relationships. Sadly, that sometimes requires discipline which may seem harsh. With many families and even observing my own, it seems that in most children's lives, they go through, a time of wanting to act miserably, even throwing temper tantrums. Many parents have discovered that often times what is needed to correct the situation, is a firm hand of discipline, applied appropriately. Suddenly, everything is marvelous once again. It is almost as if nothing happened.

To get His children to obey, sometimes we need God's firm and discipline.

We Need to Obey.

The reason that we need to obey is quite simple. Listen as we read Jeremiah 11:3–7, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant which I commanded your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all which I command you; so you shall be My people, and I will be your God,’ in order to confirm the oath which I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day.” ’ ” Then I said, “Amen, O Lord.” And the Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant and do them. ‘For I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt, even to this day, warning persistently, saying, “Listen to My voice.””

The key requirement is two simple words “obey me." It is seen in these verses by the phrase. "listen to my voice, and do according to all which I command you…" We also see this summarizing in the last part, "listen to my voice." These were the terms of the covenant between the nation of Israel and God. The people did not need to worry about all of the details and the reasons for all of the requirements. They simply needed to obey God.

We need to take some time and look at a very basic issue with obedience. Obedience has less to do outward appearance than with what is in the heart. Consider the first part of verse eight and verse 10. ‘Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked, each one, in the stubbornness of his evil heart . . . “They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them . . .”

You see, it is a choice of the will. Everyone makes a decision as to what our attitude is regarding obedience. We can choose to rebel and snarl inwardly, thinking that we can do as we wish. We can defy God's discipline and then reap the consequences, all the while blaming God for the unfairness and injustice.

Or we can decide to do whatever God wants us to do. Then all of the outward appearances will actually fall into place. I read sometime back what obedience ought to look like. Obedience should be immediate, thorough and complete, cheerful and joyful.

Conclusion

Let's face it; most people are more comfortable with a list of dos and don'ts in order to show our identification. After all, that seems easier to measure; plus it gives us an active part in attaining our goals. Then after a while, when the times change, it's easily adjustable and changeable so that our list becomes more compatible with society. There is the idea that if we can do this it's easier to be successful.

Too often, we set the standards as if we invented the measuring stick. But if you recall, we are not our own. And sometimes, when we refuse to listen to God, we must undergo discipline.

It all comes down to obedience. Obedience truly does show identification. I don't have to wear a uniform to show whose I am. I simply must live a lifestyle of obedience to Jesus Christ. Jesus stated, "if anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching." Jesus also comments on how that is seen, showing our actual identification. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

It will be obvious as to whom we belong for everyone who has Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We will love each other. We will obey God, His commandments and teaching. We will not deal with each other the way people of the world deal with each other.

To whom do you belong? Obedience shows identification. By the way, disobedience also shows identification.