Saturday, May 31, 2008
1 John 5:19-21We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
THE WORSHIP OF ANY OTHER GOD IS IDOLATRY
When the LORD -- the Triune God -- delivered His people from the bondage of Egypt into the land He had promised, He demanded that they worship Him alone and not be led astray by the worship of false gods that abounded in this new land as they had in Egypt. He said: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:2-3). They were to remember how the LORD had demonstrated His power on their behalf by bringing them out of Egypt, parting the sea, and destroying the Egyptian army. While He demanded their respect, He also promised to be with them and continue to shower them with His mercy (Exodus 20:6).
The apostle John reminds us that since there is only one God, the worship of any other god is utter foolishness. Idolatry continues to be widespread and excessive, just as it was in when the LORD brought His people out of Egypt. We are tempted with idolatry just as God's Old Testament people were -- the "gods" just have different names.
As children of the true God we too must heed the reminder: "Keep yourselves from idols." May the LORD preserve us in His truth!
The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to true Christian faith. A denial of the doctrine of the Trinity is idolatry! In the Athanasian Creed we confess: "This is the catholic [i.e. universal] faith; which except a man believe faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved."
