Strongholds or freedom.
Today's passage reminds me of Braveheart and the story of William Wallace. Near the end of the movie, with his final breath, William Wallace cries out, "Freedom!"
Jeremiah was told to personally live out a difficult message. He was not to marry, have children, and not to participate in celebrations or attend funerals. His life was meant to reflect the seriousness of what was coming upon Judah.
Jeremiah writes on behalf of the Lord: "then you shall say to them, 'Because your fathers have forsaken Me,' says the LORD; 'they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law. And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me." Jeremiah 16:11-12
Why does the Lord say that this generation had done worse than their fathers?
It wasn't simply because of what their fathers had done. Their fathers had turned away from the Lord, and this generation had continued down that same path following the desires of their own hearts.
Sin has a way of becoming a stronghold when we continue to make room for it. What one generation tolerates can influence the next generation to embrace it. Our choices matter.
We have a choice: we can continue surrendering ourselves to sin, or we can walk in the freedom Christ has given us.
So what will you do with each breath God gives you? And what will you do with your last breath?
Will your life bear the marks of a disciple of Christ. Being fully surrendered to Him and committed to His kingdom? Will your life speak of the freedom found in Jesus?
Or will you choose to continue walking in the ways of your own heart?
Let's not create strongholds in the lives of the next generation by choosing to play around with sin. Instead, let's turn from our own ways and turn toward the Lord and His ways.
May our lives point others toward the freedom found in Jesus Christ.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.