As Jeremiah was working with the people of Israel, there was the realization that it was God, and God alone, that could change the heart of man. This is a great truth for us to understand and accept about the power of God.
God gave Jeremiah the following words found in Jeremiah 13.23…
Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.
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The people were stuck in their sinful nature, and unable to change themselves. The only answer to their sin was to repent and rely on God, the only One who can change the nature of man. The Ethiopian cannot change his skin nor the leopard his spots, but God can transform men and women into His image through the work of His Son.
Jeremiah continues in verses 24-27…
“I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.
This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you,” declares the Lord, “because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods.
I will pull up your skirts over your face that your shame may be seen—
your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?”
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God pointed to the way for His people to regain His blessing. Where they had forgotten God, they must remember Him again. Where they had trusted in false gods, they must turn away from them and turn back to God.
We cannot change the people who are not living for the Lord, only He can do that. However, we can be the example. We can live knowing that God alone can use us to bring about a change in those who need Him.
Are we truly living as the expression of Jesus Christ to the world around us? Are we shining the light of His presence to a world that is living in darkness?
Just a Thought…
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