“Jeremiah 50:6 (KJV) My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.”
This is a very sobering statement. There are those who have been charged to take care of GOD’s people have lead them astray. Instead of helping people to remain on the mountain of the LORD the people were diverted by their teachings and lifestyle to a hill. It looks like that these teachings have been watered down from the truth. Teachings that make people feel good in their sin and do not cause repentance, transformation, perseverance through trials, good works,… Teachings that our carnal nature loves to hear as no pain is involved.
“Romans 16:17-18 (KJV) (17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
“2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV) (1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Naturally, it is easier to live on a hill than a mountain.
Obviously, living on a mountain takes more effort and the first part of the effort it getting up to the top. But this is also where we find true rest and peace which was forgotten through deception. As we saw in 2 Timothy above we need to learn and also teach sound doctrine, be watchful, endure affliction, do the work and works the LORD has called us to.
The LORD desires our sanctification. That is the process of moving from unholy living to holy living. It is the transformation of our soul so that we more and more bear their fruits of the Holy Spirit “Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Instead of “Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Sanctification is accomplished on the mountain top with Jesus through the Word of God which is truth.
How often have we wandered to a valley or to a hill instead of climbing up or remaining on the mountain top?
Therefore we should make it our aim to go up and live on the mountain top with the Lord and not let anyone (including ourselves or the devil with his daemons) lure us from there to a hill or even a valley.
“Micah 4:2 (KJV) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”