Published on Sunday, 17 April 2011 15:14 | Written by Administrator | | | Hits: 5992
Idolatry of the Heart
One of the greatest issues God has had to deal with concerning the redemption of mankind has been idolatry. Of course, when you address the issue of idolatry today, most people, especially those who consider themselves to be Christians, do not feel they are guilty of idolatry. After all, they do not pray to or worship idols. However, when God considers idolatry He is looking at the condition of our hearts. His great concern is our attitude toward Him and our faithfulness to Him.
"'When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself.
8 I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 14:7-8; NIV (italics mine).
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Chron 7:14-15; NIV (italics mine).
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
1 Thess 4:3-6; NIV (italics mine).
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Eph 5:15-17; NIV (italics mine).
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Phil 2:13-15; NIV (italics mine).
Be joyful always;
17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess 5:16-18; NIV (italics mine).
Virtually anything can be an idol. If it is more important to us than pleasing Jesus, it already is an idol. Some make money their idol. For others it is position and /or power. For some it is pleasure, alchohol, drugs or sex. For still others it is family, a husband, wife or child(ren). Even church can be an idol if our devotion to the church is greater than our devotion to Jesus.
We are to be new creatures in Christ Jesus. Jesus said:"If you love me , you will obey what I command. John 14:15; NIV (italics mine).
He told those people to go and sin no more. He did not tell them to go and sin less. The intent must be to avoid sin. But we are not always successful. That, however, does not mean we are to give up. We will not always successfully avoid all sin, but we must approach the effort with the sincere intent.
Why will we not be perfect in our obedience to Jesus in this lifetime? Our vision of Jesus is unclear so our love is imperfect. Since our love is not perfect neither is our obedience. Does this mean that we should not be bothered if we sin now seeing that we are unable to avoid all sin? God forbid! Our love and obedience improve as our vision of Him improves and will be perfect when we see Him face to face.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Cor 13:12; NIV (italics mine).
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him , for we shall see him as he is.
3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
1 John 3:2-3; NIV (italics mine).
The message of God is clear. We are not to sin. We are to continually strive to improve our view of Christ through study, prayer and practiced obedience as we develope our love and relationship with Him. As we do - we grow spiritually and our faithfulness and obedience improve. Like children learning to walk - we sometimes slip and fall. When we fail He is still there for us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9; KJV (italics mine).
God is merciful, grascious and exceedingly patient with us. Nevertheless, He deserves and expects a sincere effort on our part - not to be good and holy - we cannot be. What He expects from us is firm choice, and sincere desire, to:
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want Jesus as our Savior,
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love Him and love others,
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put Him first in our hearts and lives,
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sincerely want obey Him,
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accept discipline with faith and grace,
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excercise faith in the midst of trials and tribulation,
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surrender our desires and will to Him so that He can work in and through us.
Category: Tabernacle
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