0299. SIGNS OF IDOLATRY.

SIGNS OF IDOLATRY.

"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods" (2Ki_17:33).

The religion of some is like the skin of the chameleon that changes its colour according to the hues of circumstances. Those Assyrian settlers in Israel wanted to know the "God of the land" where they now dwelt, but clung to their own god. We are serving our own gods when we-

I. Give God only one day out of seven. Attending to the outward forms of religion once a week. Reading the Bible on Sunday and denying its every claim all the other six days. Selfishness on Saturday means selfishness on Sunday.

II. Only give to God what costs us nothing. The question is: Can I afford it? not: Does the lord need it? The time that hangs heavy on us, the money I will not miss. The scraps of our lives, but not ourselves.

III. Are more interested in our daily business than in the cause of Christ. "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Mat_6:33). Our daily avocation should not be departed from, but should be our service for the Lord.

IV. Are more anxious for the praise of men than the praise of God. The Pharisees, and all such eye-servants, have already their reward, the empty bubbles of human applause.

V. Are more concerned about our own good name than the honour of God. When we are indignant at a wrong (perhaps imaginary) done to ourselves or our friends, and utterly indifferent to all the dishonour and reproach done to the Son of God.

VI. Are more anxious for happiness than for usefulness. What would an earthly master think of a servant whose chief object was not to please him, but to get self-gratification at his cost.

VII. Are more anxious for smooth preaching than faithful preaching. Those who preach the Gospel must also reprove, rebuke, and exhort. In God we see both "Goodness and severity" (Rom_11:22). There are opposites in the works of God just as there are in His Word and character. Light and darkness, summer and winter, fire and water, herbs that heal and herbs that kill, snakes among flowers. As in nature so in grace. An ark for every deluge. The pillar of cloud was darkness to the Egyptians but light to the Israelites. Jesus Christ is both a Lamb and a Lion. "God is love,"but also "God is a consuming fire."

Autor: James Smith