OH WHAT A GLORIOUS SIGHT!!!
October 5, 2024“IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES” – WHAT WOULD WE DO?
October 7, 2024The apostle John, writes in his first epistle *a simple yet significant word* for our benefit and blessing. Let us read it.
– “21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” – 1 John 5:21
The above words are for Christians. Yes, Christians…the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Therefore, it pays well for us to pay close attention, and take them seriously. The possibility of we going back to “idolatry” is a possibility that always exists. This is precisely what the apostle is warning us about. So let us be careful.
Idols and idolatry, as God sees it, is a much broader term. This has to be seen in the light and the context of the first of the Ten Commandments – “Thou shalt have no other gods beside me.” – Exodus 20:3
In simple words, anything that replaces the LORD God Almighty, as our top most priority, and we pursue it passionately, becomes our idol, and our god. Mind you, our idols could be something very good and precious too. They need not be evil in nature and intent.
Charles Spurgeon has some insightful words for us to help get a deeper and clearer understanding over this matter.
– “If you love anything better than God you are idolaters: if there is anything you would not give up for God it is your idol: if there is anything that you seek with greater fervour than you seek the glory of God, that is your idol, and conversion means a turning from every idol.”
It is good for us to ask ourselves some very straight questions. Where do we stand on this count? Is there anything that has silently replaced God and His numero-uno position in our lives? May the LORD help us to search our hearts sincerely. May He help us to see the “idols” in our hearts. May He help us to lay them down, at His feet. May He help us remove them. May the LORD help us, to serve Him and Him alone, faithfully and obediently, all the days of our lives. Even so the LORD help us.
