Doing Things God’s Way
Jeremiah 29:8-11 (NIV)
29:8 (NIV) Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.
10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This is the “Jeremiah principle” for transforming society. Society is transformed when God’s people decide to start doing things God’s way. This is what God was saying to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. “Let’s do things My way for a change. Stop letting the false prophets or anyone else tell you how it’s supposed to be done.”
What we need today is Christians with the guts to say, “I don’t want to live this way anymore. I don’t want my family to be raised this way anymore. I’m going to use the time and skill God has given me to be one of His change-agents.”
That’s why I like Paul. You couldn’t intimidate him. They came to Paul and said, “We are going to kill you.” He said, “That’s cool. To die is gain.” They said, “Okay, we won’t kill you.” He said, “That’s cool too. ‘To live is Christ.’”
If we had that kind of perspective, we’d come together as believers and make a real difference for our children and for future generations. We can’t solve all the problems. I’m not saying there won’t be any more crime or further social deterioration. But society’s transformation starts with us.
At the theaters and on television they have previews of coming attractions. They always show you the hot clips of the upcoming movie or TV show because they want you to buy a ticket or tune in next week.
Well, one day there is a big show coming to town. God is the Producer, Holy Spirit is the Director, Jesus Christ is the Star, and it will be a world-wide production called “The Kingdom of God.” But until then, God has left behind some previews of coming attractions. That’s you and me, and we are supposed to be the hot clips so that when people see us functioning the way God intended, they say, “That’s hot.” And when they ask, “How can I buy tickets to the show?” we can tell them they don’t have to buy one; the price has already been paid! We can give them the good news of Jesus Christ.
This is why we are involved in the Farm Show Ministry, in VBS, Easter egg hunt, why we provide Sunday School, times of worship, Small groups, Life Transformation Groups, “being Jesus to people” 24-7 all contributing to the Kingdom of God. “Father, use every believer, as we give the “good news of Jesus Christ” to the world around us! Amen.”