#soap # Jeremiah 07 ## Title: Being Around Is Not the Same as Being With ## Scripture: (Jeremiah 7:3-4) The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Change the way you have been living and do what is right. If you do, I will allow you to continue to live in this land. Stop putting your confidence in the false belief that says, “We are safe! The temple of the Lord is here! The temple of the Lord is here! The temple of the Lord is here!” (NET) ## Observation: The nation of Judah apparently had the problem of thinking that God would protect them because His Temple was there. It didn’t matter how they lived or whether they worshiped. They were good because they were close to His House. God is quick to remind them that this is wrong. There are still those of us who struggle with this today. We think that if we go to church, say Christian things, vote a certain way, and hang around Christian people, we will be included. This is not right. God cares about the posture of our hearts. He knows who are His. Being close to the things of God is good, but make sure it is because of Him. ## Application: Check your motives. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for helping us to always be sure we love the things of God because of the Person of God.