I believe that the prescription against idol worship goes much deeper than referring to just statues
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Cor 6:19)
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God ( 2 Cor 6:16)
When God said that He is above other Gods, what he meant was that you need to anchor his ideals and promises above everything else. Our addictions - which are almost always upon unhealthy things - can become an object of our worship. We can throw away life savings on gambling, or eat ourselves into heart failure. God wants us to become the best version of ourselves and to use that strength to serve others. If we are doing those things to the detriment of the positive plan God has for us, then we have turned these addictions into idols, into another God. And you "can't serve to masters, you will love one and hate the other" (Matt 6:24).
Rather, you need a single unifying framework by which you navigate the world. One that is upward aiming, that is positive, that is about creating more and serving others. One with many small, achievable and measurable targets that act as stepping stones to ascension, and clear rules to keep you fixed on that narrow path. And one that recognises you are imperfect, will stumble, but offers forgiveness and redemption so that you can keep improving from your mistakes.
"I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me, / so that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other" (Isiah 45:5-6)
"though you may not have known Me", that mean that you may not currently see your greatness, you have the infinite potential and if you can have faith in yourself and in God, you can become strong.
"all may know where the sun rises to where it sets", that is the importance of having a knowledge of your history, of where you are presently, your values, goals etc and where you want to move upward to, with a clear path of measurable, achievable targets that act as stepping stones to that glory, which are provided by God's laws and promises.
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God ( 2 Cor 6:16)
When God said that He is above other Gods, what he meant was that you need to anchor his ideals and promises above everything else. Our addictions - which are almost always upon unhealthy things - can become an object of our worship. We can throw away life savings on gambling, or eat ourselves into heart failure. God wants us to become the best version of ourselves and to use that strength to serve others. If we are doing those things to the detriment of the positive plan God has for us, then we have turned these addictions into idols, into another God. And you "can't serve to masters, you will love one and hate the other" (Matt 6:24).
Rather, you need a single unifying framework by which you navigate the world. One that is upward aiming, that is positive, that is about creating more and serving others. One with many small, achievable and measurable targets that act as stepping stones to ascension, and clear rules to keep you fixed on that narrow path. And one that recognises you are imperfect, will stumble, but offers forgiveness and redemption so that you can keep improving from your mistakes.
"I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me, / so that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other" (Isiah 45:5-6)
"though you may not have known Me", that mean that you may not currently see your greatness, you have the infinite potential and if you can have faith in yourself and in God, you can become strong.
"all may know where the sun rises to where it sets", that is the importance of having a knowledge of your history, of where you are presently, your values, goals etc and where you want to move upward to, with a clear path of measurable, achievable targets that act as stepping stones to that glory, which are provided by God's laws and promises.
31-35, M
