Idols Instead of Presence
Idols Instead of Presence
And exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:23
The essence of idolatry is an attempt to replace the manifest presence of God with lesser things. This is a bonehead choice God’s people have been making through the ages. It’s nothing new, but it is both offensive to God and destructive to us. The downward spiral of fallen humanity hits a tipping point when people chose idolatry.
The next verse begins, “Therefore, God gave them up…” (Romans 1:24). What horrifying words! This stinging indictment is well deserved when a person or a people choose to swap the Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Rolls Royce of the manifest presence of Christ for the old jalopy of an idol. The words, “God gave them up,” is the very definition of the wrath of God. Unfortunately, we are seeing this play out in our culture today.
To the extent that you have allowed an idol of the heart to replace the manifest presence of Christ, take time today to repent. Allow God the opportunity to bring to the surface the subtle ways that you have allowed idols to replace God’s presence.
Loving Father, today I repent of idols of the heart. Expose them that I might be delivered from evil and restored to the holiness of Your manifest presence.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
And exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:23
The essence of idolatry is an attempt to replace the manifest presence of God with lesser things. This is a bonehead choice God’s people have been making through the ages. It’s nothing new, but it is both offensive to God and destructive to us. The downward spiral of fallen humanity hits a tipping point when people chose idolatry.
The next verse begins, “Therefore, God gave them up…” (Romans 1:24). What horrifying words! This stinging indictment is well deserved when a person or a people choose to swap the Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Rolls Royce of the manifest presence of Christ for the old jalopy of an idol. The words, “God gave them up,” is the very definition of the wrath of God. Unfortunately, we are seeing this play out in our culture today.
To the extent that you have allowed an idol of the heart to replace the manifest presence of Christ, take time today to repent. Allow God the opportunity to bring to the surface the subtle ways that you have allowed idols to replace God’s presence.
Loving Father, today I repent of idols of the heart. Expose them that I might be delivered from evil and restored to the holiness of Your manifest presence.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
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