| What do you Idolize? |
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5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
When people think of idols, they tend to think of statues or pictures. Some think of people. But, what about that necklace or that logo? What about those name-brand shoes?
Example:
About 12 years ago, I purchased a necklace with some type of purple gemstone. I thought it was just a cool piece of decoration to wear around my neck. However, as time passed, I realized that I would feel naked without it. At first I would shrug it off. Then, I noticed that when I read my bible, it was hard to focus if I didn't have it on. A co-worker of mine, who was a follower of the Wican religion, told me that the stone was used in a lot of their incantations. Later on that week, I noticed that I couldn't read my bible without it, and, when I wanted to pray, I had to rub it first before I could read. As soon as I realized that, I took it off and threw it away. I didn't realize the spiritual impact it had on me. I found that the stone was the focus of my prayers and that I was truly idolizing it, or rather, making it the god of my life. Spiritually, I felt dead without it, but that is what felt "normal". My relationship with Christ had dwendled all because of a gemstone. Upon getting rid of it, my relationship with Christ retured.
What about that logo? Do you feel lost or less if that shirt isn't Polo? Do you feel less if your shoes aren't Tim's? How about if you aren't wearing Gucci? I've heard people saying their relationship is determined by the style or the price of their material goods. But, are these things idols in our lives? Meaning, could we feel close to Christ without them? Can we say that we've ran the race and kept the fight as Paul did if we don't have the $50K car or the $500K house?
How about the church? Do we idolize the building? Can we truly be in the presence of Christ outside of the building, or do we need the four walls before we can fellowship with Christ? If GOD told us, say, to lay on one side for 40 days as He told Ezekiel, would we feel outside of the presence of GOD since we missed church during that time?
Would you lose faith if all of your things were taken away? How about (GOD forbid) if your church was burnt down in an act of arsen? Would you feel lost? How about as it is in other countries you have your bible taken away from you? Can you still walk in His presence? Can you still rejoice and konw that He loves you? Will you still be encouraged?
We have to be careful on what we place as very important factors of our faith (not that the church or the bible is not important). We must realize that Adam and Eve walked with GOD well before any of these things exist. So, our relationship is NOT based on these things. It can be strengthened, but don't make it the bases of your faith.
Stay blessed with His love and grace since moth and rust can never destroy those. |
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