I Don’t Have Other Idols in My Life!
It’s easy to look at some of the Ten Commandments and dismiss them as irrelevant to our society and our lives. Yet, I wonder how true that really is? Should we be more concerned about these than we are? Do they hold more relevance than we give them credit for?
Consider the prohibition of idol worship. The Ten Commandments lay it out this way: “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me” (Exodus 20:4-5 HCSB).
Taken at face value, it can be easy to respond, “Nothing to do with me. I’m okay there!” Yet, in reality, it has a great deal to do with every one of us. Our overt obsession of “things” here in our culture and society give little room to wiggle away from this command.
Those “things” can take the shape of our toys, our sport’s teams, our hobbies, our own sport’s involvement, music, movies—certainly the list could go on and on—but I am referring to “anything” we take pleasure in. Understand, I am not condemning any of these; I am simply utilizing them to make a point.
I see people excitedly prepare for a fishing trip, a sport’s event, a camping trip or whatever—pouring a great abundance of money, time and resources into their adventure. Then, I see the same individuals show up late to church, sit in the pew like a bump on a log, and toss a five dollar bill in the offering plate and consider themselves okay with God.
Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). He didn’t say this flippantly but as a warning to all of us to be aware of how easy we can allow idols to invade and take over our lives. Jesus was indicating that what we say and what we actually do can be extreme opposites. We can say we love God but reveal otherwise by our choices, our resource input, our attitudes. Our actions reveal who and what we truly are and what we value most.
Notice how much emphasis God placed upon this command. He warned that the sin of worshipping “ANYTHING” more or above Him would result in generations of punishment for what He referred to as a “hatred” of Him. The simple fact is you either love God with all your heart, soul and spirit or you hate Him. There is no middle ground.
You might consider that harsh but the truth is often harsh and can even be unbearable to those who decide to live outside of God’s divine order. You may say, “I love God” yet serve other things above Him, place other things above Him, choose other things above Him revealing you truly hate Him according to His Word.
I see individuals wearing their team shirts, shouting and carrying on for their teams but mention Jesus and it gets all quiet. Ask them to talk to others about Jesus and it’s like you asked them to donate an arm to science. They look at you like you’re crazy. Tell you, it’s just not my thing. Don’t really know what to say. But the same person can scream and yell for a professional athlete that couldn’t care if they live or die! Jesus in His great love for each of us, died that we might live!
You wonder why God is a jealous God? You wonder why He considers it vital to your relationship with Him to count Him far above and beyond anything else in your life? How often do you think about eternity? How often are you struck when a famous athlete dies suddenly, a famous musician overdoses, a Hollywood star is found guilty and sentenced to prison? How much hurt would come upon you today if your boat sank? Your RV caught fire? You favorite team got knocked out of the play-offs?
Would you have the same concern if your church cancelled services Sunday because they couldn’t pay the light bill because your five dollar bill just wasn’t doing it? Would you be as concerned if your pastor moved to another church where the people seemed to love and care about he and his family more? What about if Jesus returned and took His church home with Him and you were still here? Would it even matter then?
Can you say in all honesty that God is the only thing that really matters in your life and be willing to stake your eternity upon that statement? If not, I encourage you to turn your back on the world and seek after the only thing that truly matters—Jesus Christ!
Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I realize that there are things in my life that mean more to me than You do. I realize I have placed way too much value on temporal things forgetting that life goes on forever without them. Forgive me. Cleanse me of my wrongdoing and change my heart, my actions, my attitude and my direction. Help me to follow after only You! I love You and desire to be what You would have me to be…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!
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