Idolatry seems like an absurd sin. Why would anyone want to substitute a crude wood or stone statue for the infinite living God? And yet this very habit proved to ultimately be the downfall of the people of Israel, God's chosen. Time and again, they blatantly disobeyed by doing that which God expressly forbade:
"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:3-6)
The LORD God demands exclusive worship and obedience, because He alone is deserving. Besides, it makes little sense to substitute worship of a creation for worship of the Creator. Except that this is the easiest thing in the world to do.
Idol worship is anything that supplants the rightful place that uniquely belongs to our creator Father. Given that definition, idolatry becomes much more personal and pervasive. We may not be guilty of taking carving tools or hammer and chisel in hand, but the probability is high that creation has been substituted for the Creator in our lives. Technological and recreational creations are the modern equivalents of wood and stone idols.
Now, it's not this writer's intent to heap burdensome guilt upon all who read these words, but rather to create an awareness of that which easily substitutes for our true love and loyalty. It's enough that the Christian life is easily reduced to 'do's' and don'ts' - obligatory standards that drain away joy and vitality. The hunt for modern-day idolatry is really about purging our lives of anything that robs us of the joy and vitality characteristic of undivided loyalty and love for our Creator. Purging our lives of idolatry, then, is not duty-motivated but rather love-motivated. Why would I want anything to stand in the way of loving the LORD my God with heart, mind, soul, and strength? (Matthew 22:36-37)
A vital relationship with Jesus Christ is the best antidote to idolatry. If He is the way, truth, and the life, and "no one comes to the Father but through me" (John 14:6), then He is the best idolatry preventative available. Working in perfect harmony with our Father, He thus is able to state: " "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3).
I abhor the idols that so easily compromise my loyalty to the Father through His Son. But, if I am to obtain victory, it will be through passionate love for my Father that leads to decisive action.
May love for the Father lead each of us to purge our lives of the idols that rob us of the vitality of an uncompromised relationship with Him.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:3-6)
The LORD God demands exclusive worship and obedience, because He alone is deserving. Besides, it makes little sense to substitute worship of a creation for worship of the Creator. Except that this is the easiest thing in the world to do.
Idol worship is anything that supplants the rightful place that uniquely belongs to our creator Father. Given that definition, idolatry becomes much more personal and pervasive. We may not be guilty of taking carving tools or hammer and chisel in hand, but the probability is high that creation has been substituted for the Creator in our lives. Technological and recreational creations are the modern equivalents of wood and stone idols.
Now, it's not this writer's intent to heap burdensome guilt upon all who read these words, but rather to create an awareness of that which easily substitutes for our true love and loyalty. It's enough that the Christian life is easily reduced to 'do's' and don'ts' - obligatory standards that drain away joy and vitality. The hunt for modern-day idolatry is really about purging our lives of anything that robs us of the joy and vitality characteristic of undivided loyalty and love for our Creator. Purging our lives of idolatry, then, is not duty-motivated but rather love-motivated. Why would I want anything to stand in the way of loving the LORD my God with heart, mind, soul, and strength? (Matthew 22:36-37)
A vital relationship with Jesus Christ is the best antidote to idolatry. If He is the way, truth, and the life, and "no one comes to the Father but through me" (John 14:6), then He is the best idolatry preventative available. Working in perfect harmony with our Father, He thus is able to state: " "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3).
I abhor the idols that so easily compromise my loyalty to the Father through His Son. But, if I am to obtain victory, it will be through passionate love for my Father that leads to decisive action.
May love for the Father lead each of us to purge our lives of the idols that rob us of the vitality of an uncompromised relationship with Him.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
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