Some Things Are Sacred - Others, Not So Much - Why?

What are some things in your life that you rarely compromise?

Maybe it’s showing up for work, never missing the gym, watching your favorite program, or maintaining a certain lifestyle. It could be a relationship, a hobby, or even an unhealthy habit.

Isn’t it interesting how disciplined we can be about certain things while neglecting others?

LET’S BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES

Why is that? Let’s be honest - we value what we love, maybe even worship.

God tell us to live a certain way, yet many pick and choose what the God Almighty says to do. Today, while reading Jeremiah, I came across an interesting story.

“Jonadab son of Recab ordered his descendants not to drink wine, and that command has been obeyed. Until today they have obeyed their ancestor’s command; they do not drink wine. But I, the LORD, have given you messages again and again, but you did not obey me.” (Jeremiah 35:14 NCV)

Here’s what’s going on; God instructed Jeremiah to invite a family called the Recabites into the Temple and offer them wine. But they refused! Approximately 250 years earlier, their ancestor Jonadab had instructed his descendants not to drink wine, build permanent houses, or plant vineyards. And generations later, they were still following those instructions!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

God’s point? How could this family faithfully obey an ancestor for generations, while God’s own people continually ignored Him?

This is really be convicting to us. It made me sit and think about what I’m not doing. Some things that hit me are generosity, loving the unlovely, sacrificing time to those who really need it - and I could go on.

And I wonder how often you are guilty of something similar. And I point the finger at me first, I promise.

We can be incredibly disciplined about our careers, finances, hobbies, and personal interests, and unhealthy habits. Yet when it comes to reading God’s Word, praying, forgiving someone, loving difficult people, giving, or changing something we know isn’t right, we struggle.

I certainly don’t have this all figured out. But I wonder if some of our struggles with obedience have more to do with what we love than what we know.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24 NCV)

He was specifically talking about money, but the principle raises a question worth considering: What really has the greatest influence over my life? Is it God, or something else?

Paul warned about people who “worshiped and served what had been created instead of the God who created those things.” (Romans 1:25 NCV)

WE SERVE WHAT WE LOVE

Could we be giving certain things a place in our lives that belongs to God And then Jesus said something both simple and challenging:

“If you love me, you will obey my commands.” (John 14:15 NCV)

It’s relatively easy to obey God when I already agree with Him. But what happens when His instructions conflict with something I want, enjoy, or have grown comfortable doing?

Am I willing to change because I love Him?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second is to love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31).

ALL! That’s a pretty big word. I wonder how many of us, myself included, can honestly say we’re living that way. What about you?

Of course, we aren’t saved by our obedience. Salvation is God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). But shouldn’t our love for Him increasingly change how we live?

SHOULD I CHANGE?

Here’s what I’m taking away from Jeremiah today. Maybe I need to spend less time asking whether something is convenient, comfortable, or what I want, and more time asking whether it honors God.

I’m looking at my schedule, priorities, habits, and relationships. What do they reveal about what matters most to me? And here’s another question I’m asking myself:

If I can be so committed to the things I love doing, shouldn’t I be even more committed to the One I claim to love most?

GOD, help me recognize anything I’ve placed above You. Give me a greater love for You and others, and help that love become evident in how I live each day. IJNIP amen ♥️

(I love luxury trips - makes me stop and think)SOME THINGS ARE SACRED — OTHERS, NOT SO MUCH. WHY? (3 minute read)

What are some things in your life that you rarely compromise?

Maybe it’s showing up for work, never missing the gym, watching your favorite program, or maintaining a certain lifestyle. It could be a relationship, a hobby, or even an unhealthy habit.

Isn’t it interesting how disciplined we can be about certain things while neglecting others?

LET’S BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES

Why is that? Let’s be honest - we value what we love, maybe even worship.

God tell us to live a certain way, yet many pick and choose what the God Almighty says to do. Today, while reading Jeremiah, I came across an interesting story.

“Jonadab son of Recab ordered his descendants not to drink wine, and that command has been obeyed. Until today they have obeyed their ancestor’s command; they do not drink wine. But I, the LORD, have given you messages again and again, but you did not obey me.” (Jeremiah 35:14 NCV)

Here’s what’s going on; God instructed Jeremiah to invite a family called the Recabites into the Temple and offer them wine. But they refused! Approximately 250 years earlier, their ancestor Jonadab had instructed his descendants not to drink wine, build permanent houses, or plant vineyards. And generations later, they were still following those instructions!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

God’s point? How could this family faithfully obey an ancestor for generations, while God’s own people continually ignored Him?

This is really be convicting to us. It made me sit and think about what I’m not doing. Some things that hit me are generosity, loving the unlovely, sacrificing time to those who really need it - and I could go on.

And I wonder how often you are guilty of something similar. And I point the finger at me first, I promise.

We can be incredibly disciplined about our careers, finances, hobbies, and personal interests, and unhealthy habits. Yet when it comes to reading God’s Word, praying, forgiving someone, loving difficult people, giving, or changing something we know isn’t right, we struggle.

I certainly don’t have this all figured out. But I wonder if some of our struggles with obedience have more to do with what we love than what we know.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24 NCV)

He was specifically talking about money, but the principle raises a question worth considering: What really has the greatest influence over my life? Is it God, or something else?

Paul warned about people who “worshiped and served what had been created instead of the God who created those things.” (Romans 1:25 NCV)

WE SERVE WHAT WE LOVE

Could we be giving certain things a place in our lives that belongs to God And then Jesus said something both simple and challenging:

“If you love me, you will obey my commands.” (John 14:15 NCV)

It’s relatively easy to obey God when I already agree with Him. But what happens when His instructions conflict with something I want, enjoy, or have grown comfortable doing?

Am I willing to change because I love Him?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second is to love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31).

ALL! That’s a pretty big word. I wonder how many of us, myself included, can honestly say we’re living that way. What about you?

Of course, we aren’t saved by our obedience. Salvation is God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). But shouldn’t our love for Him increasingly change how we live?

SHOULD I CHANGE?

Here’s what I’m taking away from Jeremiah today. Maybe I need to spend less time asking whether something is convenient, comfortable, or what I want, and more time asking whether it honors God.

I’m looking at my schedule, priorities, habits, and relationships. What do they reveal about what matters most to me? And here’s another question I’m asking myself:

If I can be so committed to the things I love doing, shouldn’t I be even more committed to the One I claim to love most?

GOD, help me recognize anything I’ve placed above You. Give me a greater love for You and others, and help that love become evident in how I live each day. IJNIP amen ♥️

(I love luxury trips - makes me stop and think)