Today's Idol Worship

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19).”

When we make ourselves the center of whom God loves rather than remember that God is our center, we worship the created (ourselves), not the Creator. When we make ourselves and what we do to make ourselves “good,” rather than worship Him, we worship the created, not the Creator. When we think that a Jealous God couldn’t impose wrath against those who turn away from Him by not seeking Him in prayer or finding Truth in His Word, we forget that He is God and we are not. Do we think He will not eternally separate Himself from those who continually reject Him?

“This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the home you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being,” declares the Lord. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; so I will choose harsh treatment for them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Hear the Word of the Lord, you who tremble at His Word: “Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, “Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!” Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord repaying His enemies all they deserve (Isaiah 66:1-6).”

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of man. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it (John 1:1-5).”

When we elevate tradition and those who teach tradition above a relationship with God, we worship the created, not the Creator. Remember the Sadducees and the Pharisees? They glorified themselves and their outward goodness above God and totally missed the relationship they could have had with Him. They didn’t think they needed a Savior, as they thought they were good enough to save themselves. They enjoyed the praise of men. They did not seek praise from God or want fellowship with Him.

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God (John 12:42-43).”

It’s never about us, but about God and His Glory. But, our tendency is often the reverse. Once I realized I was purchased by Jesus’ blood and saw how far I’d fallen and how badly I grieved Him (and still do) when I sinned (and still do), my perspective changed. It’s no longer what God can do for me, but what I can do for God, Whom I love and treasure. That is why I seek to show and tell others the Truth, found in the Word of God. Some don’t want to listen…yet. The Word is worldwide. It’s available for all who want to know God and His nature and the Truth.

I am overjoyed and humbled when I see the Hand of God move in my life. The Creator of the universe wants to hang out with me and take care of me and bring others to Him through me. How awesome and humbling is that? My prayer is that others see that God wants their fellowship as well.

Too many religions and churches have hindered a relationship with God by focusing worship about them and their rules and their traditions. They put distance between God and them. We, as a nation, as churchgoers, have minimized God, compartmentalized God, trivialized God. We’ve missed out on a relationship with Him. We’ve missed His Glory and His presence that, by His mercy and grace, is available to all who seek Him. When we make God a comfortable and convenient God, we miss out on a relationship with Him.

As Ravi Zacharias said, “It’s not about good or bad, but about life and death.”

“Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ form the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the Spirit, who lives in you (Romans 8:8-11).”

That’s what a relationship with God through Jesus Christ takes us to. Our old sin self dies and we begin to LIVE through Him! It’s not about making bad people good; it’s about making dead people alive in Christ.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).”

Develop a relationship with our Creator and learn to live!

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence (Acts 2:28).”

Worship our Creator, not His created.

“Praise the Lord…..Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150 paraphrased).”

JESUS IS the Bridge Ministries