Last week we talked about idolatry and defined it. However, I would like to take this subject a step further and try my best to offer examples. A large number of people, may I venture to say even millions world wide in this universe are worshipping idols. That worship may take different forms. In more ancient times, the practice might be called “paganism.” Original pagans were followers of an ancient religion that worshiped several gods, called polytheistic. Pagan today may be described as someone who doesn’t go to synagogue, church, or mosque. A pagan may be someone who worships several gods at once, or may have no interest in a god at all. This in itself can be expanded of “having no interest in a god at all.” There are people who make claim to being “Christian,” but have no outward expression to show to others they are Christian. That being the case, there is no outward expression or evidence by behavior they are of the Christian faith. There are also those who profess Christianity or another faith, but again no evidence of faithfulness to their beliefs. In the example of The Pagan Woman in Matthew 15: Faith is often found in unlikely places. This New Testament Biblical account tells the story of a pagan woman whom Jesus commended for her great faith. She was not raised as a Jew, knowing the Scriptures. She certainly did not have the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus as the disciples had. This woman had been raised in a godless home, in a home filled with idols. But with what little she knew about Jesus, she applied dramatic faith. We could even describe it as amazing faith. One would have thought that the strongest faith would have come from one of Jesus’ disciples like Peter, James, or John. But it came from this pagan woman. The only other time Jesus called out someone’s faith as an example was when a Roman centurion—another Gentile—asked Him to heal his servant. One of the obstacles of today is that paganism and idolatrous behavior is practiced right in front of our eyes. If a person has no basis of faith, God, or religion of any kind, unfortunately, this person is handling unbelief quite boldly. Unbelief is the greatest trespass against the Holy God and His Son, Jesus Christ. No one who actualizes “unbelief” will pass the test. If readers will review Matthew 25, they will see what is referenced. Someone asks, “Well what about people who put food first, indulgence of any kind, or sports first or leisure first or crime first or exercise first? These and more are examples of idolatry…putting God last or not acknowledging Him at all. The worst thing is when men (women included) think they are God and they are the last and final word. That’s the problem Adam and Even had and it spread to us all. Do I need to say that even now “the adversary, Satan” still reigns as the “god of this world.” That’s how idolatry thrives. It is the flesh lusting against the Spirit. That’s day and night: 24/7. Clinging to idolatrous behavior risks eternal life. One might ask, “Well what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord, God and Saviour.” The answer is simple, but the doing what it takes to grow in Christ is the challenge. For example, “How am I treating my fellow human being?” I have been thinking about the statues that have been toppled. Have these been a source/instrument of worship? Are they a deterrent to moving the nation forward? To leaving behind the old things and as the Lord says, “Behold, I will do a new thing.! It’s time to do a “new thing.” Who and what are we worshipping? Surely, these matters give us pause for consideration and serious thinking? Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826::todaysfreshstart.org; [email protected]tm tm[email protected] tm “Inquiring minds want to know.” copyright. all rights reserved©Askdrjeanetteparker.com tm [ref. Christianity.com]
