Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21-23 (NLT) All people know in their hearts that God exists, as well as something of His moral requirements. This statement does not say that people can come to a saving faith by observing the created world, for saving faith comes only through hearing and believing the Bible’s message about Christ. How can intelligent people turn to idolatry? Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God. Instead of looking to him as the Creator and sustainer of life, they see themselves as the center of the universe. Eventually they event gods that are convenient to their self-centered plans as these gods may be wooden figures, animals, or the pursuit of money, power, or comfort. They may also be misrepresentations of God Himself. Making God in one’s own image, instead of the reverse, idolaters worship the things God made rather than God Himself. Is there anything you feel you can’t live without? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does God take first place in your heart? Who do you worship God or idols of your own making? When Paul says that men exchange the glory of the immortal God for images of birds, animals, and reptiles, he seems to deliberately state man’s wickedness in the terms used in the Genesis narrative of Adam’s fall. When we worship the creature instead of the Creator, we lose sight of our own identity as those who are higher than the animals. Remember we are made in the image of God Almighty.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:22:34 +0000
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