Jeremiah 4:1- 14  "If you will return, O Israel, declares the Lord, Then you should return to Me." The gracious Lord extends the invitation for His people to come back.. to put away their idols.. to choose Him. To no longer waver.. "And you will swear, 'As the Lord lives, in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; '" 

The Lord will bless His people.. and the nations.. when they turn back and "glory" in Him.  

He calls for Judah to also return to Him.. "Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns." The parable of the sower comes to mind with these words.. Jesus said that some seed fell along the roadside.. this would be there "fallow ground".. nothing could grow there. Some fell in rocky areas and some among the thorns and were choked out. To break up the fallow ground.. to make it possible for the Word to grow.. Jeremiah writes.. "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord and remove the foreskins of your heart." (v4)  To "circumcise" means to cut down, destroy, to curtail or cut back. To cut away the hardness of one's heart.. to expose the true center of one's being.. in surrender..in humility.. in truth. 

Jesus called it laying down your life, picking up your cross and following Him.  Paul said it was dying with Jesus in His crucifixion.  Jeremiah wrote in verse 14 "Wash your heart from evil.. that you may be saved.. " 

This message starts with the word "If" and includes the word "will"... The result is dependent on our actions.. are determination.. our choices.. our "will".. 

"If.. you will return"

"If.. you will put away your detested things from My presence".

"If.. you will not waver"

"If.. you will swear..As the Lord lives.. "

If you will open up and expose your heart to His Word.. if you will be washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.. 

Then.. "you may be saved".  It is our only way to escape the wrath of God.. the judgement to come for the evil deeds.. for the deception and treachery and faithlessness of our sinful souls. 

Father in heaven, You make a way when there is no other way.. for You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. Thank You Lord God!  We do no deserve this invitation.. but You give it anyway.  Many will still not respond and our hearts are broken for them.  We pray that You would break up the fallow ground and change their hearts. But, for me.. I will lay down my life and surrender all to You. Wash me and  I will be whiter than snow, Lord. Forgive every sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Let truth and justice and righteousness fill my life.  May I glory in You!  I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.