The real American Idolaters
Let's say a couple of folks get a nice piece of wood and carve out a little man with a beard. They put this man on nicely carved out platform and put a nice label on it - Jesus. Everyday these folks pray to this statue - are they idolaters?
This is pretty much what most folks do. The wood is from their own backyard, the knife they carved the wood with was bought with their own hard earned money, and the label they give it is from their own thinking.
Yes, these people are idolaters.
1. Christians are not defined by what they call themselves; they are defined by God - disciples of Christ.
2. Christians own nothing - it ALL belongs to God, including their children.
3. Christians pray everyday to die to themselves - so they may live in Christ.
4. Christians seek Holiness, not a human wisdom on good and evil.
5. Christians obey God's word - even if it costs them their lives.
Anyone can make a Jesus idol and pray to it and even worship it - makes it no more True.
Since most folks really can't stand the tough talk about obedience, putting all earthly and fleshly desires to death - it really is no wonder so few will follow Christ. Just as God has always done - He takes what makes no earthly sense and ask us to trust Him and follow. That is living Faith - that is the life of a Christian - a True follower of Christ.
When one becomes so frustrated with obeying the law of God, they only have two choices:
1. Stay the natural earthly course and keep thinking wishful thoughts - making idols with orthodox names.
2. Realize without the Truth - you stand convicted and sentenced to eternal damnation.
What do you think Satan would have you believe about sin?
- That we don't know what is and what is not sin? The Truth is unknowable and so is God.
- That sin is a personal matter, and God understands our sincerity?
- That God is too loving to send anyone to Hell?
2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
Even Herod knew the Truth - so did the magi. One chose to murder, the other chose to worship.
Who is your King / Lord?
Is it what Satan would have you think, or the Truth of God's word - Jesus Christ?
Remember - even Herod inquired of God's word (Matthew 2:4-6) - seeking not the Truth, but a way to use it towards a sinful means. Jesus (the Truth) does the same thing today - He annoys the little modern day Herods - they would just assume put Him to death than bow down to Him in complete and utter obedience. Indeed, the Truth continues to be hated.
posted by Mark @ 7/17/2008 10:59:00 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Great post, Mark.
I was just over at Carlotta's blog, answering a person's question about whether or not one knows if they are worshipping the TRUE Jesus or an imposter. Your blog subject would be a good post to share over there!
My comment over there is awaiting moderation:
The most important ways to determine that someone is worshipping and following the GENUINE Person of Jesus Christ as revealed in God’s written Word, the Bible, includes the following:
1. You MUST be born again. (See John 3:3)
2. Once born again, the sinner is regenerated and led by the power of the indwelled Holy Spirit of God.
3. The Holy Spirit NEVER leads one towards ANY theology that contradicts Scripture.
4. Jesus told us, “by their fruits ye shall know them.” Therefore, when error, heresy, twisting of Scripture, negation of the true gospel (which includes minimizes the need to repent via Christ’s cross) are all “alarms” that alert the elect in Christ and send warnings of false prophets and teachers.
This is not a complete, comprehensive list, but it’s a start.
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