“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seek the truth, I will forgive this city” (Jeremiah 5:1).

“If you can find but ONE PERSON who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this CITY!!!”

Wow! Wow! Wow!

During the days of Jeremiah, things were not looking good for the Jews. The ten northern tribes of Israel had already been defeated and sent into exile by the Assyrians. For the remaining two souther tribes, things were not looking good. You would think that the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin would have learned their lesson from seeing what happened to the northern ten tribes.

The northern tribes thought they could reject God and live like the other nations. They would make deals with Egypt and worldly leaders to protect them against the Assyrians who were conquering the world. Instead of learning from the misplaced trust of the northern tribes, Judah and Benjamin were copying their game plan!

It was in that context God declared, “If you can find but ONE PERSON who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this CITY!!!”

Two things.

First, Jerusalem and the southern tribes would be utterly defeated. The Temple destroyed. The people and their king utterly humiliated and taken into exile to Babylon. What did God say to the people in Jerusalem? If there is just ONE PERSON. The sad reality is that there were none to be found.

Wow. That’s sad.

Second, look at what just one faithful person can do! One faithful person has the capacity to save the entire city!!! So, what would an entire church filled with faithful people accomplish for the kingdom of God in this city? Can you just imagine!

Let’s do this Little Church! Let’s do this Lakewood Grace!

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

I was born this way.

We hear that a lot in our culture today. I am the way I am because I was born this way. Most of the time people say that to justify who they are and their life choices.

You want to know something? They are absolutely right. They were born this way.

BUT, here is the caveat – being born this way is nothing close to intended this way.

You see, when God created the heavens and the earth and when God created human beings, God created us as he intended – and God saw what he created and declared – “Ahhh. That’s what I’m talking about. This is very good.”

But that’s not the life you and I currently live. Because of the Fall, because of sin, we are born this way.

• Born with broken desires
• Born to yearn and long for the very things that will destroy us
• Born to do the very things that will destroy the hearts of those who love us
• Born to lie, deceive, and cheat

None of these are learned traits. We are born with them.

BUT just because we were born this way does NOT mean that we were intended to be this way. Just because we have these yearnings and desires doesn’t mean they are right, good, or God-honoring.

God invites us to return to who he intended us to be. We do that by repenting and surrendering our disordered and sinful desires and submit to God’s direction.

Born this way. But certainly not intended to be this way. Return. Repent. And Surrender to God’s intended will.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

God’s presence, God’s grace, God’s patience, God’s understanding for sinners to turn to God and repent will come to an end.

For most of us who grew up in the church, we take for granted God’s patience, grace, and love. We just kind of figure God’s always going to be patient and understanding.

But listen to what God says through the prophet Isaiah, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” The implication is that there will come a day when you won’t be able to find God, nor be able to call on him.

King Saul found this out in the harshest way possible when he willingly disobeyed God’s instructions. We are told in 1 Samuel 16:14, “Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.”

God’s patience, grace, and understanding will come to an end. When Jesus returns, those who reject Jesus will face judgment and damnation. There is no going back.

This season before Jesus returns is a gift. It is a gift so that people can repent and turn to Jesus. We are told in 2 Peter 3:9-10, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”

And when the day of the Lord comes, for all those who reject Jesus, God will honor their wish and their sins will be judged.

God is patiently waiting…waiting so that not wanting anyone to perish. But the day of the Lord will come.

Trust Jesus. Turn to Jesus. Repent and receive God’s gift of eternal life and receive God’s forgiveness.