Flee from Idolatry

In the middle of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he makes this simple statement, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”

In chapter 6 of 1 Corinthians, Paul gave the Corinthians instructions about eating food sacrificed to idols and the great apostle noted, “An idol is nothing at all in the world.”

Back to chapter 10, verse 14, notice Paul does not say flee from idols, he says flee from idolatry — something quite different.

In this day and age most Christians don’t give much credence to idolatry. When we think of idolatry we think of ancient Greek mythology or chanting Indians and totem poles, but idolatry is alive and well.

In the second letter to the church in Corinth, written just a few months after the first letter, Paul further explains his warnings against idolatry in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore, Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thin, and I will receive you. And, I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Paul is not advocating a return to law, but he is telling Christians in Corinth, and in America today, to divorce themselves from the world and let nothing stand between them and Christ.

All are guilty of idolatry. We allow life and the world to come before our relationship with God and we set up idols for ourselves whether it be a flag, a country, money, work, family — they all can be idols if we fail to have Christ in the proper place in our lives.

That isn’t the worst part, though; as the world is watching those who have claimed the name of Jesus.

If we work the way the world works; if we follow the rules of the world; if we compromise the gospel for the sake of the world then we are seen for what we are — hypocrites.

So what does Paul tell us? He tells us to come out from the world and to be separate. There are extremes of separation, but we must live our lives so we are not a stumbling block to others. What worse dread is there than knowing people chose the world instead of Jesus Christ because of our actions?

“The purpose of our lives isn’t to see how much we can get away with and still be Christians,” pastor David Guzik noted. “Rather, it is to glorify God… Paul is saying none of our behavior should encourage another to sin.”

We should do away with the worship of things through our senses. Many serve addictions — flee from them.

Many reject all for the love of money — flee from it. Many will skip the worship of God to be with their family — flee from it. Others will join a political party and throw their treasure behind a cause.

I make a bold statement dear friends, but whether you claim the name Democrat or Republican you serve an ideology opposed to God — you serve an idol. It is part of a world system and from it we must flee.

I, and neither is Paul, advocating we abandon our responsibilities in the world, but they must be put in their proper perspective.

Jesus Christ, God incarnate, allowed himself to be lifted up on the cross and shed his blood to rescue us from the bondage of sin. The world is sin and we must abdicate our positions in order to serve Christ and nothing and no one else.

Take a look at the world made by the hands of man — is it something you desire? Now, look to Christ, who out of perfect love allowed himself to be nailed to the cross in order to wipe us clean from the stain of sin and give us life with Him and share in His resurrection.

Why do we look to the temporal for our pleasure, our wants and our needs when Christ will fill us beyond all measure?

Today is the day of salvation.

“For He says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.’ — 2 Corinthians 6:2

There is nothing to be gained from delaying your decision for Christ; but all eternity could be lost if you die without accepting Jesus and his finished work on the cross.

Take off the feted clothes of the world and take up the glistening white robe Christ has — call on His name.

For those who know Christ but have locked him in a closet so the world will not see Him in us; I ask us to repent and ask the Holy Spirit to rid us of our pride so we may rest again in a right relationship with our Savior.

Look at the news brothers and sisters, God is telling us to get our house in order — do it today and flee from your idols.

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If you need prayer or would like to comment Wayne can be reached by e-mail at etagnews@dctexas.net