SUPERFICIAL HEALING
-Ben Hayes
I
really hate sinus infections and colds. Like most people in this area—allergies
seem to play a big part in when those infections hit. Certain times it is more
prevalent. Blossoms and blooms are beautiful but usually bring about horrendous
side effects. You have probably spent a lot of time taking antihistamines and
other medications that help alleviate symptoms. They “heal” us or so it seems,
for a time. However, for more serious infections there is a need for
antibiotics: something to actually attack the problem at the core and not just
mask it.
As
I was reading from the book of Jeremiah this week I came across a passage that
revealed that the people of God in the Old Testament did the same thing we do
with infections: They covered the problem rather than get to the root of it.
“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy
for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. They
have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
but there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:13-14).
Jeremiah
was living during a time when wickedness and idolatry abounded among the
so-called people of God. Most of the children of Israel had turned their back
on God and were worshiping idols. They had lost their faith and trust in Him
and God chose Jeremiah as a prophet to call them out on their ungodliness.
Things had declined so much in the land that part of Jeremiah’s message even
addressed the holy men of God: the prophets and priests. If anyone was going to
stay faithful it should have been these specially appointed men but they too
were greedy and dealt falsely. Their worst crime: telling people things were ok
(“Peace, peace”) when things were in fact, not OK at all. God was preparing to
bring judgment down upon his people. The so-called spiritual leaders were
putting a Band-aide on a mortal wound.
Jeremiah
goes on to explain how the people were not ashamed of their sin- they had
forgotten how to blush (6:15). What a
sad state of affair when we no longer can blush when we see or participate in
out-right sinful activities. We live in a similar culture today. I can remember
a time when certain things were not talked about publicly or seen on TV. Now,
we find references to those very same things all over the place and I find
myself trying to explain to my kids what they are witnessing in public and what
God says about it. There is an “anything goes” attitude in our world. By all
means, love needs to be exhibited to all, but neither the Old Testament, Jesus,
nor the apostles condoned a continued life engulfed in sinful activities. If we
condone such we doing the same thing that the priests and prophets did in
Jeremiah’s day: “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially”
(6:14).
Jesus
is an antibiotic. He is a true healer. He takes the sin and completely removes
it so that it doesn’t continue to fester in the soul. If we continue in sin or
refuse to allow him to remove it the result can be devastating. “The wages of
sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, the gift and remedy is eternal life
through Jesus. I don’t want a superficial healing of my soul. Oh, it may sound
better and may not hurt as deeply to begin with but in the end it kills.
Jeremiah was preaching destruction on God’s people because they had turned from
Him. Eternal destruction awaits those who refuse to submit to Christ fully. But
great blessings of healing await those who do submit.
_______________
IN OUR PRAYERS- SHUT-IN: Jason Duke (Camden Health Care), Levi Towater (skilled care in Mount
Juliet), Jerry Young (Lakeside in
McKenzie), and Kay Miles (at home). ONGOING:
Hank Rook, David Spain, Ernest Thorne, Randy Hatch, Laverne Hatch,
Charles Sisson, Jerry Massey, Matt Martin,
Vickie Cox, Dwight Bullington, Ross
& Darnell Cole, and Mercedes
Gibbons. UPDATES: Mary Lou Christian (will return to Atlanta for another
treatment on December 27th) Jill
Shomaker (in Vanderbilt Hospital), and Margie
Martin (recuperating at home).
HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP: We will have soup and sandwiches following
morning services today. Be sure to stay
for lunch and then afternoon services at 1:00!
CONGRATULATIONS! To Kimberlee
Sloan who graduated with an RN degree from Jackson State Nursing School on
December 10th.
DEVOTIONALS: We will have brief devotionals on the next
two Wednesday nights, December 23rd and 30th, instead of
our regular classes.
SCHOOL ITEM: Antibacterial Wipes. We need 12 more.
