Jeremiah 18:12 “But they will reply, ‘It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.'”

This is the recurring tragedy throughout the history of mankind. God has laid out the way of blessing for us, in His Word and in our hearts, and we stubbornly go our own way anyway. An example of that was brought to my attention yesterday, when I watched a video on YouTube presented by a very compassionate Christian man. He was talking about the epidemic of suicides and drug overdoses among those involved in producing pornography, and he had interviews with several such who were bitterly regretting the choices they had made. As he said, the consumption of porn is demonstrably destructive, but it is even more horrible for those who choose to be involved in producing it. The devil uses such lies as “liberation” and “empowerment,” but those caught in that trap end up regretting it indeed. The thing is, repentance and forgiveness are always available, if we will accept them. As I said a few days ago, repentance is recognizing that we have been wrong, acknowledging that God is right, and changing our behavior. If we will do that, then forgiveness is indeed available, as Jesus demonstrated in His ministry multiple times. He was pejoratively called a “friend of sinners” by the Pharisees, who thought they didn’t have anything of which they needed to repent. Jesus said of them, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:41) Claiming righteousness apart from the shed blood of Christ is one of the most dangerous things we can do. Like the people Jeremiah was talking to, that is saying that we know better than God.

As I keep being reminded, for many years I walked in a level of pride that is now astounding to me. How could I have been that stupid? However, God in His absolutely amazing grace has worked patiently with me, and on me, much as the potter in the first few verses of this chapter. I’m not finished, and I’m at times manifestly “half-baked,” but God uses me in spite of myself. Now, I have the opportunity to tell other people of God’s grace, helping them understand how far they have strayed from Him, either in ignorance or willfully, and letting them know that repentance and forgiveness are possible, bringing eternal salvation. That is good news indeed, and I want everyone to know it!

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for that video, and thank You for the extended conversation I was able to have with someone. It went all over the place, but You guided it to spiritual matters, and I’m grateful. I pray that the words that were said would work in the heart that person, opening their eyes and drawing them to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!