Transformation can be costly

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it. Therefore I am full of the wrath of the Lord; I am weary of holding it in. 
“Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the gatherings of young men, also; both husband and wife shall be taken, the elderly and the very aged. Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and wives together, for I will stretch out my hand against the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord. For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 6:10–15)

While Jeremiah is an OT favorite book, I understand why many Christians do not read it, and many pastors do not preach from it. Why not? Because much of it is strong warnings and rebukes for sin. We know that the Messiah came and died for all of it and offers us forgiveness and a new life, and that is our focus. However, we all know how that victory does not make our battle against sin go away.

Nor does it lessen our responsibility to tell those still caught it its lies the truth of what Jesus has done to defeat death and offer us no condemnation for our guilt. He bore it all. Why then do Christians still get tempted and sometimes fall back into that trap? Didn’t Christ free us from sin?

Yes, the guilt and punishment, even sin’s power has been defeated, but not everyone walks in the truth of that. Our old nature is dead, separated from God, yet it hangs on to us like the dead body of murdered people were one hung on the backs of those who did the deed. The stench is supposed to be a reminder to never yield to sin or pull me back into repeating my old ways, yet that pride of “I’m okay and good” becomes a snare to slide into running my own life.

Not only that, in my new life I am supposed to love others enough to help anyone who gets caught or recaptured by sin:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:1–3)
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (Romans 15:1–3)

This is hard work. Those caught in sin have problems with being restored. Pride keeps me from admitting my problems. Selfishness keeps me from wanting to take time and effort to gently restore others. It is less trouble to ignore them, not care, walk the other way, look down my nose, or even pray now and then, than it is to really want or take action to encourage holiness — both in myself and in those around me.

This is reason enough to pray for and support other Christians, especially our pastors, not question or criticize them or their work. God goes to great lengths to transform us into the image of His Son. Should I not be willing to be transformed to that same image? What do I need to give up to be more like Him? Reputation? Friends? Time? Energy? The list can be long.

Jesus, I’m not thrilled to read all these OT rebukes and warnings, but they do apply to the transformation You intend in my salvation. Work Your will into my heart and increase my desire to do and be whatever You spell out for me.