1154. Idolatry and Idleness

Idolatry and Idleness

"Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play" (1Co_10:7).

They sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. The Israelites put up a golden calf, and worshiped it.

Saints, who are carnal, may not worship images made with hands, but they worship idols. Among the works of the flesh, the carnalities, is mentioned "idolatry" (see Gal_5:19-20). We are warned to "flee idolatry." We are taught: "Keep yourselves from idols."

What is an idol? It is anything that comes into one's life in lieu of God. The contrast is clearly stated in 1Th_1:9 : They "turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God."

The children of Israel put up their idol, and cried: This is your god that brought you up from the land of Egypt. An idol, whether it be carved or whether it be an ideal of imaginations, is that upon which we lean; it is the treasure where our heart is.

In our times many are turning away from the Living God and are worshiping idols. God is no longer the hope of such people. On our coin is written "In God we trust," but the fact is, the trust of many is in the coin, far more than in God.

Idols may be such as these: Science, education, evolution, federation, reason, progress, wealth, philanthropy, and other kindred gods. Some message and method of social service, which repudiates the Cross of Christ and eliminates God altogether, has become an idol to many religionists.

May God help us to cease from man; may we not go down to Egypt for help; may we not lean upon horses, nor put our confidence in men. May we not make the "arm of flesh" our God.

"He found him in a desert land."

"He instructed him,

He kept him;"

"He led him.

He made him ride on the high places of the earth."

"He made him to suck honey out of the rock."

BUT

"Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked."

"He forsook God which made him,

And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation."

He sacrificed to demons.

He provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods.

May God help us not to be idolaters as were some of them.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR