“From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,”
says the Lord." (Jer 6:13-15 NIV)
Another litany of God's people's sins... And, again... the prophets and priests stand judged among them. Apparently, they looked the other way when the people took the wrong path, not following in the way of the LORD. They looked the other way and when they were lost in the forest of sin, they not only did not help; it was as though they did not even recognize the trouble that they all were in. "Peace, Peace," they said. They pretended all was well when all was not well. According to the prophecy of Jeremiah, they will fall with everyone else when Jerusalem is taken by the enemy.
How often are the problems of the world brushed aside with platitudes or even by looking the other way? My husband sometimes gets a little bothered by my words and actions. He hates conflict and would prefer that I, too, avoid it by looking the other way. I'm not all that fond of conflict, either. But, pretending nothing is wrong and looking the other way does not help anyone or anything. Ignoring it just makes matters worse. When you're sick, you usually try to get well, don't you?
Martin Luther, thought the church on earth was ill. It had a few problems (still does). He drew up 95 theses for discussion. Ninety-five items which he thought should be discussed. Included was the quote regarding proclaiming peace from Jeremiah 6.
"92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Peace, peace,'' and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14)
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Cross, cross,'' and there is no cross!
94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell.
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22)."
The struggle for truth is not always easy, but it is right. Hardships may come for saying and doing the right thing. Martin Luther was hounded and hunted for speaking the truth. He was a bit confrontational. The first disciples were put to death (perhaps not John - we don't know for sure). Jesus was killed by hanging on a cross. Truth may hurt, but, it is way better than the false peace that will cause even more suffering for all people in the end.
Truth trumps peace. But, know this: you can have peace as well as truth. But, the peace that comes with the truth is the peace of heart and mind that comes with walking with the LORD (who is the truth) no matter what trials and troubles you encounter in this world for speaking and living the truth. When you are willing to be honest and confront the fact that all is not well and you (we) must change directions and follow the LORD, then you will know both truth and peace.
And... above all prophets and priests really ought to quit pretending all is well, when all is not well.
My persistent prayer is that the "Peace of the LORD" be with you always. Pr. J.
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,”
says the Lord." (Jer 6:13-15 NIV)
Another litany of God's people's sins... And, again... the prophets and priests stand judged among them. Apparently, they looked the other way when the people took the wrong path, not following in the way of the LORD. They looked the other way and when they were lost in the forest of sin, they not only did not help; it was as though they did not even recognize the trouble that they all were in. "Peace, Peace," they said. They pretended all was well when all was not well. According to the prophecy of Jeremiah, they will fall with everyone else when Jerusalem is taken by the enemy.
How often are the problems of the world brushed aside with platitudes or even by looking the other way? My husband sometimes gets a little bothered by my words and actions. He hates conflict and would prefer that I, too, avoid it by looking the other way. I'm not all that fond of conflict, either. But, pretending nothing is wrong and looking the other way does not help anyone or anything. Ignoring it just makes matters worse. When you're sick, you usually try to get well, don't you?
Martin Luther, thought the church on earth was ill. It had a few problems (still does). He drew up 95 theses for discussion. Ninety-five items which he thought should be discussed. Included was the quote regarding proclaiming peace from Jeremiah 6.
"92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Peace, peace,'' and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14)
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Cross, cross,'' and there is no cross!
94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell.
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22)."
The struggle for truth is not always easy, but it is right. Hardships may come for saying and doing the right thing. Martin Luther was hounded and hunted for speaking the truth. He was a bit confrontational. The first disciples were put to death (perhaps not John - we don't know for sure). Jesus was killed by hanging on a cross. Truth may hurt, but, it is way better than the false peace that will cause even more suffering for all people in the end.
Truth trumps peace. But, know this: you can have peace as well as truth. But, the peace that comes with the truth is the peace of heart and mind that comes with walking with the LORD (who is the truth) no matter what trials and troubles you encounter in this world for speaking and living the truth. When you are willing to be honest and confront the fact that all is not well and you (we) must change directions and follow the LORD, then you will know both truth and peace.
And... above all prophets and priests really ought to quit pretending all is well, when all is not well.
My persistent prayer is that the "Peace of the LORD" be with you always. Pr. J.
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