How Would We Measure Up Today?

Jeremiah 22:3-5 (New International Version)

3 This is what the LORD says:

- Do what is just and right.

- Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed.

- Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow,

- and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

4 For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people.

5 But if you do not obey these commands, declares the LORD, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.' "

These are the words of the Lord, given to the prophet Jeremiah, to speak in the palace of the King of Judah. They are instructions on how the God ordained government system should function, and specifies the result for either obedience or disobedience.

Our country was founded on the principle that we were subject to God as the higher authority and the bible was the source of determining how we viewed right and wrong. Our government was established to serve the people in a manner consistent with God's value system.

You can determine for yourself how we are living up to this principle today. I, however, would like to correlate these commands to another God ordained social institution, the family.

If we were to view the family as designed by God in the same manner as the government, with God at the head, parents subject to God, and children subject to the parents, then we could very well apply these commands to the family. So, I have a few questions to ask in the hopes of generating thoughtful reflection of how we are living up to these commands within our family situations.

1. Who is our highest authority? Who's rule do we ultimately fall under in our households? Who's will do we seek in our comings and goings? Who do we place our trust in? Who do we answer to?

2. Do we have a biblical understanding of what is just and right? Do we seek God's wisdom is our decision making? Do we understand the difference between ethical and moral? Do we fall to the culture or stand firm to biblical principles even when unpopular?

3. Are we protecting and caring for our children? Do we place their needs above our own? Do we faithfully, consistently, and unselfishly give of ourselves to them? Do we desire to raise them up in the knowledge and love of the Lord? Are we staying active and present in their everyday lives? Are we staying in our marriages? Are we caring for our parents? Are we accepting our responsibilities?

4. Are we being kind and mild mannered to our family members? Are we speaking words of love, encouragement, compassion, and acceptance to those we love? Are we seeking to serve, rather than to be served? Are we forgiving and flexible?

5. Are we protecting the rights of the weak, poor, young, and elderly in our families, city, state, country, world? Are we speaking up for those that cannot speak for themselves? Are we shedding light on problems and inexcusable actions against humanity, as to be heard and invoke change?

This morning when I read this verses, I couldn't help but think that this applied not only to the government, but also to families, and, secondly, both the American family and the American government are failing in these areas. We are no better than the people of Judah from this story in Jeremiah. I am convinced that just as God was angered at the people of Judah, He is angry at us today for the same exact reasons.

Yes, we have the grace of Jesus Christ to cover us, but we should be ashamed, and we should be begging for forgiveness! We deserve punishment just as they did, and it may be coming, unless we humble ourselves before God. The theme of Jeremiah seems to be Remember, Return, Repent.

May we realign our hearts, putting ourselves once again under God's authority, so that we may live a God pleasing life and live in peace. May God show us where we need to repent, and may we turn away from those actions, returning to the will of God. May God bless our efforts and our humility.