Make not your Maker!

Reading: 1 Kings 18:25-39

"Keep yourselves from idols" (1 Jn 5:21)

We can understand how much God abhors idolatry from the fact that the very first two of the Ten Commandments condemn it (Ex 20:2-5). The last dated book of the New Testament is John's Epistle and it ends with a warning against idolatry (1 Jn 5:21).

We should worship only God the Creator and not anything created. When it is God who has made us, how can we make Him? He would never tolerate man worshipping statues made of metal, wood or stone. Man burns a portion of the wood, and with the rest of it he makes an idol. He prostrates himself before it and worships it (Isa 44:9-20). Can this be acceptable? Memorial symbols like the Cross (2 Ki 18:14) and objects of idolatry such as sun, moon and stars (Dt 4:19), animals, birds and creeping things (Rom 1:23) also should never be exalted to a position of worship.

Satan, who suggested to Jesus to fall down and worship him, desires people also to do the same (Mt 4:9,10). We hear there are now Churches of Satan! God hates devil worship (Rev 9:20). We should avoid even worshipping angels as they are only created beings (Col 2:19; Rev 22:8,9). Saints, however great they may be, should not be worshipped (Acts 10:25; 14:12-18).

Christians should beware of the subtle forms of idolatry. Covetous- ness is one of them. One who makes gold his hope or is secretly enticed by the greatness of his wealth calls for God's judgment (Col 3:5; Job 31:24-28). Observance of time is also another form of idolatry
(Gal 4:8-10).

Many of God's children have boldly challenged idolatry. The prophets of Baal, who miserably failed to meet the daring challenge of Elijah, finally confessed, "The Lord, He is God!" (1 Ki 18:21,26,27,39). Daniel and his friends courageously refused to bow to idols (Dan 3:16-18; 6:7,10). Paul's spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city of Athens was given over to idols (Acts 17:16). Oh! that we all had the same spirit! The majority of Indians is idol-worshippers. It's our responsibility to teach them that "the times of ignorance God winked at; but now He commands all men everywhere to repent"—from the worship of the created to that of the Creator!

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store,

From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, "Christian, love Me more!"

(Cecil F. Alexander)

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Doctrines: NextAPRIL 2