Day 61 – March 2, 2021
Scriptures: Leviticus 26-27, 1 John 5 Keeping ourselves from idols. It goes well with the Israelites, if their hearts stay devoted to God. They are encouraged, throughout the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, to believe in God only. Everything so far has been, in a way, about leading the people away from the worship of other gods and solely commit themselves to the worship of the one true Lord, God. God has gone through great lengths to reveal His identity as the one true God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the rescuer from Egypt, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel is to worship Him, and Him only. I think the connection here is foremost about the pastoral hearts of both Moses and John. Moses has shepherded this people through so much, and here again he reminds them to stay devoted to the Lord. Moses calls them to obedience. John echoes Moses. He is looking at all of the evil, all of the difficulty in the world, and he says to the church, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:1-5) Pastor John knows that the Messiah has overcome, and those who believe in Him share in His victory. The whole world is evil, but Christ is true and He overcomes. As we will find out over and over again, Israel will struggle to get this love and worship of God only command right. They will falter in their obedience, and eventually worship other gods. Despite all that God has done for them, they will wander away from the Lord. John’s closing words are an encouragement to us still today. “Dear Children, keep yourselves from idols.” Pastor John is looking out for the church. Idols are a very real threat to what is true and good. John says, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:19-20) He is the true God, Jesus Christ. There was a disheartening image unveiled this week. It was rolled into the conference center for the CPAC meeting at the Hyatt in Orlando, FL. A large golden image of President Donald Trump was brought in to the room, receiving much fanfare. The statue was celebrated and considered a fitting tribute to the former president. I don’t know that I ever thought the idolatry of President Donald Trump would manifest in that way. But sure enough, it did. John’s counsel still rings true today, “Dear Children, keep yourselves from idols.” Jesus is the true God and eternal life.
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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