What or who do you worship?
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes of the guilt before God of all mankind – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1: 18) And then Paul tells us why… “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them” (Romans 1: 19) God has clearly given us a witness of Himself through His creation. However, we decide to ignore His witness. Paul continues with another ‘because’ statement… “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1: 21-23)
When we refuse to accept the reality of God that is clearly shown to all of us, our thoughts become worthless and our hearts are ‘darkened.’ We go in a dangerous direction toward unbelief. We may even allow God to become non-existent in our minds and elevate ourselves and other people to god like status. We are created to worship, and if we do not worship the true and living God, we will worship ourselves, other people, money, or anything and everything else.
We were created by God and we belong to Him. Colossians teaches us about Jesus – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1: 15-16)
To worship is to show reverence and adoration for. What or who do you worship? Have you ever stopped to think about this? God, in His commandments to the Hebrews said, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20: 2-3)
In our postmodern world today, many people think that all religions lead to God. It is extremely offensive and unpopular to declare that only through Jesus is there a door to eternal life. But however unpopular this is, Jesus alone is the only way to eternal salvation. There is historic evidence that Jesus died on the cross, and only Jesus was seen alive after His death by many people. This cannot be said of other religious leaders. The Bible boldly testifies to His Deity. God is our Creator, and through Jesus He is also our Redeemer.
To a very religious world in Paul’s day, he wrote the following to the Corinthians – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1: 18-25)
