And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind. Romans 1:28
I like to brag on the ladies at the jail when I can. The other night we were talking about the way of escape that God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13) and the idea that, if we don’t take it, eventually we can pass a point of no return. One young woman, who has been studying a lot on her own, immediately chimed in saying that it reminded her of something she was reading in Jeremiah.
Now, if you know your Bible, you’re probably impressed with that alone. Jeremiah is not a book most people spend much time studying. But without missing a beat, she turned to Jeremiah 11:11 where God says, “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.”
Here God says it straight out. For those who stray further and further from Him, ignoring His mercy, there comes a point where there is no escape route left.
Consider also Romans 1, which contains some of the most frightening words in the whole Bible: “God gave them up,” (v.24, 26, 28). When God gives up on someone– when He gives someone over to their depravity– that is as hopeless a situation as I can imagine.
Notice that it starts and ends with the mind:
“after we have received the knowledge” Hebrews 10:26
“although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts” Romans 1:21
“as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind” Romans 1:28
I’ve already written here on the idea that we often set up an “escape plan” for disobeying God’s word in case obedience turns out to be too difficult. We leave the door to sin open in our minds.
Then we tell ourselves it will only be this one time, or that it isn’t really that bad. But Satan is a master at catching us in a web of sin that we can’t seem to escape.
When Jeremiah said that there would be no escape for Judah from the calamity God would bring on them; even though God said He would not hear their cries; even though His people were bringing all this on themselves through their stubborn disobedience; through it all God loved them and had already planned a way for them to return to their homeland and to Him. And there was a still a Savior to come. Now that Jesus has come and paid the price for sin, we have greater hope and greater mercy.
But we also have greater responsibility, it would seem. Those who accept Jesus as their Savior but then, for whatever reason, turn away and leave the relationship have no other hope left to them. There’s no other Savior coming to help them.
If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27 (see also v. 29)
The ladies at the jail are locked in there pretty tight. They have no way out unless someone unlocks the door. Thankfully God has unlocked the door to forgiveness. But if we don’t guard the door of our minds, things can get in that will take us captive again. Satan tells us there are more ways out just ahead, other saviors coming to help. He knows that if we ignore God’s mercy for too long, though we could turn back, there comes a point where we just won’t.
Therefore preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. 1 Peter 1:13-15 ESV
by Christie Cole Atkins
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to guard the door of my mind and to be able to recognize ideas that are not of You and that would lead me from Your path. Thank You for providing a way to be free of sin, and forgive me for the times I have strayed from You. Keep me close to You, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Related Reading:
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Praying God’s Word Back to Him
