I've been contemplating the topic of idolatry lately.
We laugh at pagans who create images of God out of stone, metal and wood. Certainly we would never be as dumb as those pagans.
But, do we have a god of our imagination? Do unbelievers reduce God to a god of their own imagination, and ignore the biblical teachings regarding God's wrath and condemnation for those who are not in union with Christ? Do believers ignore the clear instructions in Scripture concerning their behavior, and think God is OK with their disobedience in particular areas of their lives?
Another interesting topic...do I try to form others into my image? Do I try to persuade others to have the exact same doctrinal perspective or focus as myself? I guess if my image reflects Jesus, then it's a good thing, especially if they are my own offspring or someone I'm shepherding..with the ultimate idea that I'm pointing them to the image of God. Do I try to form others in my image in a needless manner, especially those who aren't under my God given discipleship?
It is interesting to me how some cults tend to adopt the personalities of their founders. For instance, as a member of an Armstrongite organization, I realized how much of the organization mirrored Herbert Armstrong's personality. In areas of music and dress and behavior, his personality was very dominant.
How much of our Christianity really reflects the image of Christ (God), and how much of it reflects the organization that we belong to? There are religious idols, too.
Is my God the god of my imagination, or is he the God that Scripture portrays? Do I "dumb down" my god in order to make him more like me, and what I think is right and just? Or, do I realize my God is a lot more awesome, loving, graceful, and fearful than my conception of Him?
As an aside, some have told me that they have always know God, and that God is their best friend. Obviously I believe that God wants an intimate, loving relationship with each of us, and God has a steadfast love for those who are His. Our world should revolve around Him and he needs to be the constant concern of our lives. We flourish in His presence, and that is the life we need to be experiencing. But, sometimes, with individuals who claim they have always known God, I wonder sometimes if they are worshiping a god of their own imagination, and perhaps they don't know the real God. I say this because I think we start out as idolaters who don't really know the true God, and this view is based on Romans 1-3. I think the text is very plain in saying that no one really knows or seeks God prior to salvation, so when someone tells me they have always known God, I wonder if it's really a god of their own imagination that is basically the image of the person himself; a god who is ok with his behavior and doesn't have wrath toward their sin because he isn't the real God.
For believers, what idols do we have remaining in our hearts that don't reflect the image of God(Christ)?
Idolatry is much more than this..it involves our purpose, and what we find our pleasure and contentment in. Is it God, or is it something else? Is it a substance, such as drugs, alcohol, sex, food? Or a particular person? Who is my ultimate allegiance to? How we spend our time or money is a good indication.
I'm reading a good book on this topic by Kyle Idleman called Gods at War. He mentions some of these topics...not all of them. Some are my own thoughts.
To be honest, I think we all harbor idols at a certain level, because we don't consistently have God at the center of our universe. Believers are no longer under the wrath and condemnation of the unconverted, and I'm not at all suggesting this (John 5:24, Romans 8:1). But, I think we still need to be cautious lest we find that we were worshiping an idol that doesn't reflect the real God, but is a god of our imagination.
We laugh at pagans who create images of God out of stone, metal and wood. Certainly we would never be as dumb as those pagans.
But, do we have a god of our imagination? Do unbelievers reduce God to a god of their own imagination, and ignore the biblical teachings regarding God's wrath and condemnation for those who are not in union with Christ? Do believers ignore the clear instructions in Scripture concerning their behavior, and think God is OK with their disobedience in particular areas of their lives?
Another interesting topic...do I try to form others into my image? Do I try to persuade others to have the exact same doctrinal perspective or focus as myself? I guess if my image reflects Jesus, then it's a good thing, especially if they are my own offspring or someone I'm shepherding..with the ultimate idea that I'm pointing them to the image of God. Do I try to form others in my image in a needless manner, especially those who aren't under my God given discipleship?
It is interesting to me how some cults tend to adopt the personalities of their founders. For instance, as a member of an Armstrongite organization, I realized how much of the organization mirrored Herbert Armstrong's personality. In areas of music and dress and behavior, his personality was very dominant.
How much of our Christianity really reflects the image of Christ (God), and how much of it reflects the organization that we belong to? There are religious idols, too.
Is my God the god of my imagination, or is he the God that Scripture portrays? Do I "dumb down" my god in order to make him more like me, and what I think is right and just? Or, do I realize my God is a lot more awesome, loving, graceful, and fearful than my conception of Him?
As an aside, some have told me that they have always know God, and that God is their best friend. Obviously I believe that God wants an intimate, loving relationship with each of us, and God has a steadfast love for those who are His. Our world should revolve around Him and he needs to be the constant concern of our lives. We flourish in His presence, and that is the life we need to be experiencing. But, sometimes, with individuals who claim they have always known God, I wonder sometimes if they are worshiping a god of their own imagination, and perhaps they don't know the real God. I say this because I think we start out as idolaters who don't really know the true God, and this view is based on Romans 1-3. I think the text is very plain in saying that no one really knows or seeks God prior to salvation, so when someone tells me they have always known God, I wonder if it's really a god of their own imagination that is basically the image of the person himself; a god who is ok with his behavior and doesn't have wrath toward their sin because he isn't the real God.
For believers, what idols do we have remaining in our hearts that don't reflect the image of God(Christ)?
Idolatry is much more than this..it involves our purpose, and what we find our pleasure and contentment in. Is it God, or is it something else? Is it a substance, such as drugs, alcohol, sex, food? Or a particular person? Who is my ultimate allegiance to? How we spend our time or money is a good indication.
I'm reading a good book on this topic by Kyle Idleman called Gods at War. He mentions some of these topics...not all of them. Some are my own thoughts.
To be honest, I think we all harbor idols at a certain level, because we don't consistently have God at the center of our universe. Believers are no longer under the wrath and condemnation of the unconverted, and I'm not at all suggesting this (John 5:24, Romans 8:1). But, I think we still need to be cautious lest we find that we were worshiping an idol that doesn't reflect the real God, but is a god of our imagination.
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And the only way to fill that God given desire of being like Him, in our new "heart".