The Word Is Not In Them

Jeremiah 5:13
And the prophets become wind,
For the word is not in them.

The importance of whether or not His word is in us cannot be understated. You can basically divide the world into those who His word resides in and those where His word doesn't reside within. Even within the church this distinction of who has it in them and who doesn't speaks volumes about the issues we see taking place within the church as well. This is not at all a call to judgment about who has it in them and who doesn't. Besides, its not like we have the technology to set up some type of security gate so that when someone enters church it lets us know whether His word is in them or not. Plus to do so would be a bit un-Christ-like anyway. The church needs to be a place that welcomes whoever He sends to it because the church is a hospital for those who are ill from the condition of sin than it is a place for perfect Christian people to hang out. But it is of utmost importance that we as individuals see to it that we do what is necessary for His word to be in us.
Jeremiah is a difficult book in that God has reached His breaking point with the back-sliding of Israel and Judah. That says a lot for God is extremely patient and long suffering towards us sinners. But eventually, enough is enough. And God realizes that patience is no longer the virtue needed to get His people to turn back to Him and that He eventually has to resort to drastic measures. In this case God will send armies from the northern nations to overthrow Israel and Judah and take captive His people into a long and agonizing exile from the land He had given to them.
But of course, God being a God of mercy, grace and love doesn't finish the story there for He includes a provision for a remnant of Israel to eventually be spared this exile, and that His people would eventually return to the land of milk and honey in order to restore the nation of Israel and for God to make good on His covenant promise to Abraham.
After this restoration occurs, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son; the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, to save man from sin. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners and in His promise came the provision for the indwelling of His Holy Spirit to reside within those who would believe in Christ. That the Word would dwell within human beings. That His word would be in us.
That is the distinction. If you are one who has His word dwelling within you then you are blessed beyond measure.
During the time of Jeremiah and during our time, there are those who claim to be believers and followers of God but unfortunately it appears by their fruit that the word really isn't in them. Once again, this is not about judgement of these people but it does explain a lot about why they don't respond to those around them and to the issues taking place in their lives in much of a Christ like manner. I honestly would wonder about people who attended the same church as I did and would hear the same messages I heard week in and week out and how they seemed to struggle with seeing their own sin and the necessity of going to God on a regular basis for Him to deal with those issues they struggled with. I would notice that it was far easier for them to point the finger of blame at others instead of at themselves. And then I would have to be on guard for my own spiritual pride as if I were somehow a better Christian than they were. If you notice, my focus was on what was wrong with their Christian walk and not as much on my own. And then the word in me would put me in my place by reminding me that I have no right to criticize the Christians around me. Especially if I haven't been praying for the the very issue that was bothering me about them. This is a problem because it is one of the chief tactics of the enemy to divide the church.
It is still an issue. It isn't about memorizing the Bible because Satan obviously has that down.
It's about whether His word is in me and if I am participating with the sanctifying work of His word in me. The words from my mouth, the attitude that comes with those words, how I view and treat those around me, how I see myself in comparison to them and ultimately how I see God all comes down to whether His word in me has any real effect or not. Am I allowing His word to pierce soul and spirit, joints and marrow and do I pay attention when it is discerning the thoughts and intents of my heart? Am I taking responsibility for what it shows me and being real with God about those things the word reveals within me that needs to be cut away by the Surgeons blade?
If not then the substance of my very life; of every word; of every action is wind. Not the wind of the Holy Spirit, but a fruitless wind that amounts to nothing.
But with His word within us, hell itself trembles. Mountains will be cast down. Lives will be changed for eternity. The lost will be found. The hopeless and unloved will know hope and love.
And best of all, we will be more and more like Him.

Holy Father we come to You in the name of Jesus Christ and ask that You would see fit to instruct us in Your ways and in Your word so that it penetrates our very souls and dwells deep within us. If there is anything that stands in the way of this taking place we ask for You to reveal to us what it is we need to do to remove it so that there is no blocking the flow of Your Spirit in our hearts so that we would become fountains of living water to drench those we encounter with You. We thank you for Your word and the power that it has on us and on those around us. You and Your word is our only hope and we look forward to eternity with You in order to adequately thank You; for eternity isn't long enough to thank You for all You have done for us.
In Your holy name,
amen.