by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Reading through the Book of Jeremiah, you will find that he poses to the Lord a question. He wants to know why he has to speak a message of warning to Israel when the other holy men are saying good things. God tells him that the others are telling false visions and messages. Their words are empty and not inspired by the Lord.
If you are in a relationship and depend on harmony for your faith, you need to be 'in the spirit.' Being there is not hard to determine due to the signs. There will be thoughtfulness, caring, sharing, attentiveness, understanding, patience and passion. This is also what we should seek in our time of devotion. This too is being 'equally yoked.'
Being 'in sync' with your soul mate, family, friends and faith community is very important to your 'walk.' He is alive within you in 'spirit' and you will know when things are 'of Him' or not. It is like night and day - very distinguishable.
I knew someone whose husband kicked her out of their bedroom and placed her personal belongings into suit cases, placed them in the hallway and shut the door. I knew someone who lived with an abusive husband who loved to keep pictures of dozens of nude women he 'partied' with. I knew someone who got beaten annually and the time of year was calculable - during tax season.
These women all have one thing in common. They stay in bad relationships due to a feeling that they 'deserve' it. That the sins they made in life are being paid back for their suffering. I have news for them - wrong! It doesn't work like that at all.
In the salvation of Jesus Christ our Lord, we are forgiven for our iniquities (sins). Nobody has an earthly claim over us when we have accepted Jesus as Savior. No stone can be cast against you. Nobody is without sin.
Seek your peace in Jesus Christ, not in a morbid sense of penance (punishment) to pay for your past. There is no need for that. Not if you truly know Jesus Christ, who died on Mt. Calvary for our sins...all of them.