Dear SCC & Friends,
…other gods… ~Deuteronomy 11:16
Reflection #338
Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else. ~Spurgeon~ We may think of idols and idolatry as a thing of the past or only in places marked by primitive cultures and religious superstitions. The truth is an idol isn’t just a carved statue or an exotic object of great value… Idolatry can be anything we love, trust or pursue more than God; i.e., money, success, possessions, status, pleasure, power. We can even make an idol out of good things such as family, vocation and ministry… We have a clear mandate… You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol… You shall not worship them or serve them… ~Ex. 20:3-5 An idol is a fraud masquerading as something of spiritual value and worthy of veneration… Idols are false gods but have a deceptive lure… Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them. ~Deut. 11:16 Other gods come in many forms but always lead to an abyss of counterfeit blessing and misguided purpose.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied… ~Ps. 16:4 What does it mean to barter for another god? Esau traded his birth right for a bowl of soup… We barter when we worship the creation over the Creator… or when we walk away like the rich young ruler who by keeping his life lost it. Jesus said, What good is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul? People have bartered their place before God for far less than the whole world. It only took thirty pieces of silver to barter and betray the Son of God. Bartering for another god is the worst possible decision a human being can make. Conversely, to know, love and serve our Lord and Savior is the best and most important decision we will ever make. Jesus made clear the aspirations of other gods and why He came… All who came before Me are thieves and robbers… I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. ~Jn. 10:8,10 Hallelujah! Keep up the good work!
In Christ alone,
Kevin