Old Testament Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 17:7 – 10 (KJV)
Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 2Cor 5:17 – 21 (KJV)
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) The fall of mankind from the innocence and perfection in which he was created by God placed a devastating change of the human heart, (which is considered in the Scriptures to be the very seat of all matters pertaining to this life), in an awful situation or a “fallen state” which constantly spirals deeper into a far worse condition as it goes.
2) Jeremiah explains that even the “covenant people” Israel had the same struggle and that the human heart is the problem as it tries to trust in man or even itself, both of which only leads to destruction and separation from God.
3) This is why the Apostle Paul rejoices over the fact that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and we (the Church) have been given the magnificent privilege to share the news of His great mercy to the whole world, since He is molding our hearts as we grow in Him.