How can we avoid forsaking God's law as in Jeremiah 9:13? “ ‘The LORD answered, “It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed My voice or walked in accordance with it.” ’ ” The Heart of the Issue • Israel’s tragedy was not ignorance but neglect. • God’s law was “set before them,” yet they chose their own way. • Forsaking the law is a heart decision that shows up in daily choices (Matthew 15:8). Recognizing the Drift Before It Happens • Gradual cooling—missing personal time in Scripture leads to subtle compromises. • Crowd influence—adopting the values of friends or media over God’s revealed will (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Self-confidence—assuming we “know enough” and no longer need fresh instruction (Proverbs 16:18). Practices That Guard the Heart • Daily immersion in Scripture – “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). – Read, meditate, and speak the Word aloud; it shifts both thinking and desire. • Delighting, not merely doing – “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). – Ask, “What does this reveal about God’s character?” to stir genuine affection. • Obedience in the small things – “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). – Quick obedience in minor decisions builds momentum for larger tests. • Scripture-saturated conversation – Teach and discuss the Word “when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road” (Deuteronomy 6:7). – Family and friends who naturally reference Scripture reinforce a law-honoring culture. • Regular self-examination – “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). – Invite the Spirit to expose attitudes or habits that shift loyalty away from God’s commands. Building a Community That Honors the Law • Worship gatherings centered on exposition of the Word (Nehemiah 8:8). • Accountability relationships where Scripture is the shared standard (Hebrews 10:24–25). • Service projects that express, not replace, obedience—love expressed through action (Micah 6:8). Holding Fast in a Culture of Relativism • Remember Scripture’s sufficiency: “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). • Affirm its unchanging authority when trends shift (Isaiah 40:8). • Expect opposition, yet stay gentle and unwavering (2 Timothy 2:24–25). A Lifelong Resolve Staying close to God’s law is less a one-time pledge and more a daily posture: listening, loving, and living the Word He has graciously placed before us. |
    |