discerning between gods and God
When
something has become too important to me, it edges toward “idol” status. What are some indicators of this?
- I become defensive when challenged about it
- I feel I must have it in order to be happy
- I am angry if it is hindered, damaged, spoken against, or not prioritized by others
It seems that in Christian realms,
we are pretty good at recognizing the “bad” things: murder, sexual immorality,
drunkenness, lies and deception,… But we
often fail to recognize that some really good things can become really bad for
us if they become our idol. These may be
things that began in a good, right way: health,
beauty, godly parenting, community service, good education, control of
circumstances and emotions, wealth, a good job, fun, popularity, intelligence,
art, music, ministry, family and/or church traditions. Even good things can become idols when
they become preeminent above all else.
How ironic that good things placed
too high are the subjects of the accusations against Stephen. He refers to Psalm 102 and how God cannot be
contained, and how even though they have a heavenly revelation of God’s will in
the law, they still don’t obey. Was Stephen really guilty of blasphemy? What he spoke against was a high, hypocritical holding, and
exclusive guarding of God’s gracious gifts.
Were the religious leaders really
defending “God’s temple and Law”, or were they defending their control and
containment of God’s temple and Law? It seems it was the latter. God
is into delivering all people, reaching all nations, writing His law on the
tablets of all people’s hearts---uncontainable!!!
If the temple and the Law had
become too high, as that of a god, then yes, Stephen was guilty of blaspheming
(speaking against) their idolization of good things. He was not blaspheming against God and His
good gifts. The people had chosen to
worship the gifts over the giver, and made the gifts to be their god, under
their control.
By keeping focus on God and His
purposes, Stephen was able to see the big picture and sidestep and personal
offense. Instead, he responds as did God’s
other deliverers: Joseph, Moses,
Jesus—He forgives, intercedes for the wicked, and surrenders completely to God.
May God grant us the grace and
courage to do the same!
Read and Pray:
1
Corinthians 10:23-24, Revelation 22:1-5, 1 John 5:21
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