MAKE NO IDOLS

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

God first commanded His people to have no other gods before Him. He then followed immediately with His second commandment saying, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…"

Question: Do you know what God looks like? Of course, your answer will be like the Israelites at Mount Sinai…of course not. So given that, no mere man or woman could ever form an idol in His image. Nothing but God was to be bowed down to and worshipped…and no one but God is to be bowed done and worshipped today. And yet, we are very much in the idol business, aren’t we? And maybe, you have been enticed into worshipping any or all of them.

What idols do we have in the world? Well, how about athletes, television and movie stars, music performers, politicians, or models? Even ministers, pastors, priests and evangelists are revered, worshipped and idolized. Indeed, we have many idols…in fact, America even has a show on television by the name, "American Idol."

All this makes me start to wonder how God feels about us and the way we bow down and worship so many other things outside of Him but then I don’t have to wonder too long because I only take one look at His word and find out how He feels. For He says, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." Do you want to inflame God’s wrath upon not only yourself but generations thereafter? Then, violate this command and worship idols…lifting other gods before Him. If you wish to be a person in God’s favor, then uphold this command and stop worshipping things of the world. Focus on God and God alone…worship God and God alone…aspire to emulate God and God alone…and bow down to God and God alone. For He and He alone is worthy of all our praise.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to end up on God’s bad side. I would much rather experience His love…an unending love poured out on those who love Him and follow His commandments…commandments that are just as valid today as they were over 2,000 years ago when they were first given to Moses and Israel. Do away with any idols in your life…and fully experience the joy of the One who deserves our full attention both now and in every day he blesses us with.

In Christ,

Mark

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