Replicating Truth - Old And New (Jer. 7 & Eph. 5)

For the next several days we’re going to be looking at a number of sermons and writings from the old testament, and showing their new testament equivalent or companion, to demonstrate that God has not changed from the God that he was under the old testament. Many folks have been led to believe that he has changed, even though they may not readily admit that. But to think that God has become more lenient on sin through this covenant of grace is something that is universally taught by Christianity, and embraced by those who confess the religion. Today I would like to look at Jeremiah chapter 7, which was noted in yesterday’s post, and show the exact same truth of that sermon in the new testament equivalent of Ephesians chapter 5: “”The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD” (Jer. 7:1-11). I don’t know how much clearer God could possible have been here, but we’ll move on to the new testament as see whether he has changed his mind about what he requires.

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:1-11). I hope you can see the clarity of this writing of the apostle Paul, and the evident correlation to the sermon of Jeremiah. Both men were obviously warning God’s people of the reality that they would lose their inheritance with God if they chose or choose to continue in sin. I sure don’t see any “sinners saved by grace” in the words of Paul, but rather that saints that follow God in true holiness will be saved and inherit the kingdom of God. So again, God is still holy, and he still requires obedience to his will, in order to obtain salvation. The remainder of new testament scriptures do nothing but further confirm that simplistic truth, such as this quote from the apostle Peter: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Pet. 1:13-16). This quote, as well as both of these powerful writings from Paul and Jeremiah, completely debunk the widespread wicked doctrine and mindset of “eternal security.” Amen.