SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. [Jeremiah 18:7-10]
This verse reminds me that when God announces judgment, there is always times for repentance and forgiveness.
It also shows me that those who live in God’s blessing and grace, if they do not continue to walk with Him, can fall back into a place of judgment.
In this life, before Christ’s return, and from our experience and perspective, neither ‘being saved’ or ‘being lost’ are final – things can always change.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23:39-43]
The sad irony of Jesus’ ministry is that those who seemed least likely to receive God’s blessing did, while those whom everyone thought deserved it (the religious leaders) did not.
Here is a notorious criminal who ‘repents of his evil’ and receives God’s assurance of God’s acceptance.

Christians have debated about ‘once saved always saved’ or what my tradition calls ‘perseverance of the saints’ (in other words the elect cannot lose their salvation).
To me, this is an academic, ivory tower debate, to which the answer is ‘God knows’.
But from our experiential, earth-bound point of view, it is absolutely possible – and actually happens – that notorious sinners living under God’s judgment repent, while remarkable saints living in God’s blessing have fallen away.
Whatever the eternal dimensions of this are, we live in the here and now, and need to deal with it.
I think this is why Peter urges us to do everything we can to make our election sure [2 Peter 1:10-11].

According to Jeremiah, those living under God’s judgment can receive mercy, while those living under God’s grace can forfeit it.
What I take from this is both an encouragement and a warning.
When I feel shame, guilt and despair, there is always room for forgiveness.
And when I feel confident, comfortable and victorious, there is always room for backsliding!
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! [1 Corinthians 10:12]

PRAYER:
Lord, sometimes I need the encouragement of grace, and sometimes I need the warning about backsliding. Show me where I am right now, and impress on my heart the appropriate message.