Can the Leopard Change his Spots ...the Wayfarer 8/1/17

Can the Leopard Change his Spots
 8/1/17

Jeremiah 13:23

King James Version (KJV)

²³ Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

A fish is a fish, and a bird is a bird, and though a fish fall in love with a bird they have no habitation in common that is compatible for both. If the bird descends into the depths of the waters, it will drown, and if the fish should attempt to leap into the nest of the bird, it too will die, starving for the life that it may only have within the depths of the water it inhabits.

So goes an old proverb remembered from childhood intended to point out the necessity of separation between those dedicated to polar opposites.

The opening verse given by the prophet points out the same required separation that exists between God and man, when man would attempt to define for himself  that which is good rather than submitting to the Creator's definition, two very disparate and different definitions that cannot coexist or change with the shifting currents of a changing wind.

Jeremiah wrote those words in warning to a nation that sought the blessings of God, yet sought also the perceived blessings of those around them that refused to honor the very precepts that could allow the blessings to occur.

The old prophet knew in advance that the majority of those warned would ignore the warning that was given, and continue to pursue the path they had chosen despite that warning, yet he was compelled to voice that very warning despite the unpopularity of his message.

Isaiah 1:18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Though the Ethiopian cannot change the color of his skin, nor the leopard his spots, the Creator can change the nature of the few willing to accept the reasoning that allows for the superiority of the will and plan of God when and only when that superiority is recognized, and subornation given to that superiority.

This old prophet also warned a nation in advance of its failures to recognize and accept that superiority, while clinging to its own definitions of good and evil rather than that which was established before the creation of this creature called man.

The petty arguments between men continue as to what is acceptable within their society, growing ever more distance between what they find acceptable and good, and that which the Creator finds acceptable and good.

All too often, God Himself, is left entirely out of the equation as the arguments ensue and men choose to attempt to force their own definitions on those around them.

For reason to prevail, reason must first be accepted, comprehended, understood to be reasoning coming from One whose reasoning is not flawed, or inequitable, but perfect in nature. All other reasoning is merely an exercise in futility preordained to failure.

This creature is easily influenced by others of his kind, as was evidenced in the garden when Adam gave heed to the advice of a creature like himself, rather than to what was both advice and demand from his Creator.

How then is change possible? How then is reconciliation with God possible?

It is possible only through recognition and adherence to the message delivered by the Creator Himself through the Son sent to deliver that very message.

It is possible only when that message of redemption for repentance is heard and heeded, and the cacophony of the competing messages delivered in contradiction are ignored.

Luke 18:26-27

King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

²⁷ And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

The impossibility of man's determination of what is good for him  can only be overcome through the surety and certainty of what has been provided for him, not by himself, but by God through the message delivered and sacrifice given by Christ Jesus.

Continuation of reliance on societal assurances of good and evil result in denial of  what was determined before creation, and will continue  though eternity despite any paltry attempts to change it by the lesser creatures in refusal of the initial intent of the Creator.

Isaiah 5:20

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

The old prophet saw and commented on that continuation, as did Christ Jesus in the continuation of the most precious promise ever given with the accompanying warning.

John 3:16-21

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

There never has been and never will be salvation within the devices and concepts provided by this lesser creature called man, despite the grandiose opinions expressed by him that lead away from the only opinion that must and will be taken into account when accountability is demanded by that Creator.

The shades of grey that he accepts are stains and blots that are what they are, undeniably good or evil as seen by that Creator.

The only cleansing from those blots and stains remains the crimson that flowed from the sacrifice given on a cross because of the refusal to recognize the message sent, and the acceptance of that message and all contained within it that was evidenced through the power of the resurrection .

Still, after all the failures of men, men will continue on their chosen paths, most choosing the same disregard of the relevance of their failures and the relevance of  God's unchanging plan, unchanging promise, and unchanging warning that is also a promise that will be delivered upon.

2 Timothy 1:12

King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

What has been committed, must, and shall be, committed, once having been committed securely persuaded of the superiority of the ability of the One to whom it is committed, and secure in that continuing superiority throughout eternity.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer