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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Opus 2018-228: Digging into Deuteronomy: Idle Worship and Idol Worship

(Deuteronomy 4:23 KJV)  Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

Most people have heard of the Ten Commandments.  I doubt if there are many who could list all ten.  If you are curious you can find them at Exodus 20:3-17.  I don’t know if the last six are listed by priorities but it is clear that the first are most important.  Actually they are a package deal and in spite of what you have heard, they can be obeyed.  The problem is no one wants to obey.  If we look at modern entertainment we find that most of them are violated on a regular basis.

The second commandment is being referred to here.
(Exodus 20:4-6 KJV)  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Most of us today would not think of actually building an idol and putting it in a special room to worship.  We are to modern for such foolishness.  Who wants a golden calf or a statue of pan in their living room?  This points out that idolatry can take many forms.  An idol is anything that we give a place to in our lives that represents anything that God has commanded us to avoid. 

For example take the commandment that says,
(Exodus 20:8 KJV)  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
How many regular habits do we have that occupy our day of rest?  You might have a garage full of lawn equipment and feel that Sunday is the only day you have to mow the yard.  You may feel like you have a need for a game of golf or other sport activity.  Maybe you honor the sabbath by eating out and making others do the work you are avoiding.  Those appropriate activities become idols because they get in the way of putting God first.

I think the point of violation will be different for each of us.  It may be subtle.  It will have eternal results.  Keep in mind that God will not be mocked.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

  1. So why do you deny the TRUE Sabbath, but then stick the commandments for it on the FIRST day of the week? And please don't use the silly argument that man can choose any day he wants for "the Sabbath."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because.

      Not good enough. I am working on something longer that I will post. I know, you can hardly wait.

      Grace and peace

      Delete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.