Lesson from the torn linen loincloth
Jer. 13:1-11; Jn. 15:4-7
The LORD told Jeremiah to take a linen loincloth and to put it on. The LORD then told him to take the linen loincloth to the Euphrates River and to hide it there in a cleft of the rock. Jeremiah did what he was told to do. After many days, the LORD commanded him to take the linen loincloth which he had hid. As Jeremiah took the linen loincloth, he saw that it has been torn and now was good for nothing.
Then the word of the LORD came to him: Judah had been rebellious and proud and had become like the torn linen loincloth, which had become completely useless. The LORD said, “For as the loincloth clings to one’s loins, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the LORD, in order that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory. But they would not listen” (Jer. 13:11).
What is said here is that, if the loincloth had remained where it was supposed to be, it wouldn’t have been torn or become useless. But, it was where loincloths weren’t supposed to be, and it has become good for nothing. Likewise, the Israelites did not remain in the LORD and lived as they wanted to. Because of this, they had become like the torn loincloth.
It is important that we remain in the LORD. Lord Jesus Christ also said, “remain in me” (Jn. 15:4). Jesus continued, “Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (Jn. 15:6).
Today, let us see where we are, where we have been. Are we still where we are supposed to be? We have been ensnared, enslaved, enamoured, enchanted and attracted by things that glitter and the beauties of the world. Come, really think! Haven’t we been thinking about them more than we ought to? As long as the loincloth was in the loin of the wearer, it was safe and useful. From the time it was away to face the elements, it began to tear and decompose, becoming useless.
Christians are taught to remain in Jesus Christ. It is important to remember this. If not, we tend to go astray and become influenced by worldly things. The deceiver, accuser and our foe will always continue to wreak havoc in our lives. But if we remain in Christ Jesus, He will also remain in us and we will continue to bear good fruits. If we remain in Him, He says, “ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (Jn. 15:7).
Why, then, are we unable to bear fruits? Why do we remain weak and useless? Isn’t the reason obvious?
