Modern Idolatry

One of the Ten Commandments says to not worship other Gods. But in today's "diety-free at all costs" mentality, does this still apply? How can we be accused of worshiping other gods if there is no God, much less "gods"?

We worship self, and what "self" wants. Proverbs 1:24 describes this very thing. Wisdom (as an aspect of God) calls out in the street:

Proverbs 1:24 "I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention. 25 You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you.

Many times, we don't want to be corrected. Worshiping God is obedience. But if we don't obey... if we choose to obey someone/something else that goes directly against what God has commanded yout to do -- even ourselves -- then we are practicing idolatry. If the TV schedule keeps us from obeying, we have placed it above God. If we are too lazy, we have placed ourselves over God.

So here's the pointed question of the day : Do you need to repent to God for the sin of Idolatry? What about your quiet time alone with God? Are you maintaining it faithfully? How about being obedient to God minute-by-minute? Has something else asked you to give your time, too? Did you choose it instead of time with God and his teaching, instruction and obedience? If so, you need to confess this to God. In short, we've become our own "American Idol."

So, what happens to the "foolish" or "guilible" who do not want to be corrected?

Proverbs 1:26 I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you, ... 29 because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. 30 They refused my advice. They despised my every warning. 31 They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes.

Don't be foolish. Listen to God, and accept his correction, rebuke and warnings. They will save you much heartache in the end. Sin is pleasurable for a season, but results in pain and heartache for a lifetime. Rebuke is painful for a moment, but brings about peace forever.

Working with what you have

Proverbs 12:11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.

I just thought I'd share a quick note about the Proverbs I read today. I have to admit... This one hit home with me recently. For those of you who know me well, I've always got a dream cooking somewhere. From internet businesses, to advertising sales, to my own home business.

I try to make sure that my dreams are attainable, but sometimes my ideas lead me to step into boots I can't fill. While it isn't bad to have a vision, if it is unrealistic and not God-given, it is a waste. It will drain your finances and energy. You will be crying over something that wasn't meant to be yours in the first place.

However, if you work YOUR land you will have plenty. I'm not suggesting we all be farmers, but look at that as a teaching tool... that is to say, if you use the things you already have -- talents, skills, resources, supplies and knowledge -- you will have what you need.

Are you chasing an unrealistic goal? Did God give you your vision, or is it in your own strength? Are you striving for something that isn't meant for you? Are you using the items and skills God has already given you wisely? If not, why would you expect God to give you more? Use what you have.

That's the lesson I had to tell myself today.

Are you Being Enticed?

Proverbs 1:10 - My son, if sinners entice you, don't be persuaded.

Sounds easy, right? And it's common sense, so why is this one of the big "Proverbs" from the wisest man to ever rule?

Because of another known fact (Hebrews 11:25) ... the pleasures of sin for a season. Yep. Sin is fun... for a short time. The reprocussions of which will smack us in the back of the head later, but at the moment, it is appealing.

We WANT sin. That is a part of human nature. But just because we want something doesn't mean it is good for us. And Solomon was warning us: Just because it looks fun, it looks nice, it sounds like it may bring us joy or pleasure or fulfillment... if God said no, don't let yourselves be pursuaded.

But the more important part of this that I wanted to highlight: "... if sinners... " Who should we guard ourselves from? Theives, robbers, and gangsters? How about our pastors, teachers and leaders? How about from our spouses, loved ones and friends?

Yes. Romans 3:23 -- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Every one is a sinner, and expresses that more at different points in their lives. Obviously Solomon was referring to the theives, robbers and gangster variety, but we need to be wary of advice and encouragement we get from everyone who impacts our lives.

How do I know what is sin? I have to know what God has called me to do. James warns us : If a man knows what is right in his own heart, and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Sin is just as personal as your walk with God SHOULD be. That's why we need God so closely in our lives, so we can know what way is right, and walk it... even if other godly people try to pursuade us away from it, unknowingly.

Are you being pursuaded away from God's will? Do you walk close enough to God to know his will, so that you can stick to it? If not, get close. God hasn't moved away from you.

Pondering Perfection

If you've read the posts on my other blog you'll know that I am not perfect. In fact, I have made some very serious mistakes lately.

But God really spoke to me today. I woke up late (again) but tried to take a few minutes for a quiet time. And God honored that. He gave me a "quick and simple" message that really gave me a sense of hope.

As you can tell from my posts on this site, I frequently revolve around the concept of Holiness. I feel that this topic is something that is sorely neglected in our culture.

I struggle with this because I know I'm not holy. I'm not the perfect Christian. I haven't Arrived, so to speak. But God is good. He revealed a little known verse to me today... something that really gave me hope.

Hebrews 10:14 For by that one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy.

What is this telling us? First of all, it is GOD who is making us holy. How does he lead us to this holiness? Through that "one offering". Through obedience to Christ.

In his sacrifice on the cross, I am perfected (spiritually). That is past tense. It is done. Complete. I cannot do, be, think, act, want or try to be better spiritually. I am already perfected. I am not PERFECT, but I am perfected.

A very thin line, but an important distiction. While I may not do perfect things. I think thoughts, act out and disobey. However, I am perfected dispite those things. I am not perfect (in my own power.) But I am perfected (by an outside presence, namely, God).

And I am not Holy.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

No one is. But I am "being made holy." That isn't past tense. It hasn't already happened, but present participle... present and continuous. Each minute of every day, God is working in my life to lead me to that holiness.

It isn't my doing, but God's. I can only obey or disobey. But the holiness is God's to give, not mine to earn. My choice is to obey. Plain and simple.

A parent knows that their children make mistakes. But if you asked a mother if she thought her children were acceptable and loved by her, most mothers would say undoubtedly "YES!"

That's it. God sees me, dispite my mistakes, as perfect. He perfected me in his own sight by his own choice. As I approach him through his Son, Jesus, He CHOOSES to see me as "perfected". There is nothing more I can do or say to change that or improve my standing with him.

But there is a qualifier in this verse. We love to read the "all" without reading the "whom". Read it again: "...whom he is making holy." Are you allowing God to make you holy? Are you letting him clean house, or are you holding on to junk? Of you are allowing God to lead you, you are perfected. Take a moment today to praise him for that.

While I haven't "arrived" I am completely, absolutely, unconditionally loved. And for a brief moment, I was able to revel in that spiritual hug. I needed it today.

Returning to holiness.

In a previous post, I referred to a book by Gregory Frizzell. In that book, he reveals a truth that many Christians avoid at all costs. Why? Sometimes it is because they don't understand it, but mainly it is because it is is a hard concept to grasp. This has been the focus of my walk with God for the past three years, and I am still trying to fully understand it.

Hebrews 12:14 - Try to live peacefully with everyone, and try to live holy lives, because if you don't, you will not see the Lord.

So, on that note, I'm going to camp on the second half for a moment. "...try to live holy lives, because if you don't, you will not see the Lord." This is a direct echo of God's command in Leviticus 11:44 : "... be holy because I AM holy."

Holiness is not an option. It is something we should push toward at every moment. The "little sins" that we think don't mean anything are in fact the very things that separate us from God.

We tell ourselves "Ahh, it's okay. No one will know the difference." or "... everyone's doing it." or even "What sin?" even though your heart of hearts is sending red flags like crazy. Inside, we know the truth, but ignore it on a daily basis until we are calloused to it.

Holiness is not an option.

Exodus 22:31 -- You must be my holy people.

The craze in the 90's for the WWJD bands, buttons, and necklaces had a right idea, even if it was more of a marketing campaign. The idea holds true: What did Jesus do? He lived a holy life, and he calls us to strive for the same. While we may not attain holiness, God isn't calling us to just give up. And he understands we are human. We will fail at this chase for holiness. That's a cold, hard fact of being human. But failure doesn't mean we aren't to CONTINUE to strive for it: to pick ourselves up and keep striving, even when we fail.

Without holiness, we are no different than the world. Without holiness, we ARE "the world". God is calling us to holiness for our own benefit, but also for his glory. Holiness isn't something we can attain on our own. When he called his people in othe old testament to holiness, it was an unattainable goal without Christ. That command pointed out the direct need for a savior. As people strived to follow the Law to holiness, it would quickly become evident that it was impossible.

But even Christ said that he didn't come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. So holiness isn't less of an option for you today. In fact, it is more of a requirement for you. They had to strive to be holy in hope of a savior. We have to strive to be holy through the power of our savior. To do less is to sin.

This is a tough pill to swallow. We, as Americans especially, hate to be told what to do. We idolize our freedoms and expressions. If we want to use four-letter words, we do. If we want to spit on the streets, we do. If we want to ... whatever... we do. We have placed our wills above everything else.

But God isn't American.

God is Holy. He is above our foolish patriotism and a pride that puts everything else on the back burner. I'm an American and I'm not giving up on the country that has provided me security and a very good life. But God is more than the borders of the USA. In the grand scheme of the universe, the USA isn't even a speck. You couldn't find it under an electron microscope of you tried.

Holiness isn't an option. We have to return to holiness. But, if holiness is so important, what is it? How can we define it? Holiness has been termed "the act of being set apart by God." While that is a great definition, it doesn't answer our initial question of how I attain holiness. If God calls us to actively attain holiness, how does this definition allow us to attain it? I am not God, so I can't set myself apart, right? In this light, I would like to propose a small change to this definition which I think is much more appropriate: "our acts of obedience to be set apart by God."

Holiness is a choice. These acts are directly obeying God and responding to our day-to-day communication with Him. We are set apart by God, through his sacrifice, and his Spirit. But it is our choice to be holy. In our obedience to God, we pursue that holiness he wants to instill in us. It is a cooperative effort: An individual and God.

Are you living with "little sins" every day? Do you let words, thoughts, jealousy, or other "little" things exist in your life? Do you complacently let things slide here and there? If so, you are not pursuing holiness. You are lukewarm, complacent, and sluggish. You run the risk of not seeing God. (Not my words, but the word of God: Hebrews 12:14.)

Holiness is not an option.