In Jeremiah, chapter seven, verse three, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.” God gives yet another call to the people to repent of their evil ways. However, as long as they believed, they were secure because of the temple and its ritual. They saw no need to repent.
No observances, professions, or supposed revelations will profit, if men do not amend their ways and their doings. None can claim an interest in free salvation who condone themselves in the practice of known sin, or live in the neglect of known duty. They thought that the temple they profaned would be their protection. But all who continue in sin because grace has abounded, or that grace may abound, make Christ the minister of sin; and the cross of Christ, rightly understood, forms the most effectual remedy to such poisonous sentiments. The Son of God gave himself for our transgressions, to show the excellence of the Divine law, and the evil of sin. Never let us think we may do wickedness without suffering for it.
Many people believe that once they confess their sins and accept salvation, they are saved. That is not true. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” as in Romans ten, verse ten. It is more than saying the Word of God, but to be a doer of it. The believer also has to live the life that Christ has stated in Romans twelve, verse one. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Live and walk in righteousness.