Beware of Idols

This particular sermon was actually preached Sunday, May 18th ... instead of the previously posted sermon, "Knowing God." "Knowing God" was actually preached last Sunday, June 1st. I was on vacation in the mean time.

When we typically think of the Epistle of 1 John, three ideas surface. First of all John profoundly tells us that God is love (4:8). Secondly, we come across the idea of authentic love for one's neighbor ... particularly his challenge to people who claim to love God but in actuality hate their brother (4:20). Thirdly, we typically come across the extremely reassuring idea of God's faithfulness to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins (1:9). Perhaps authentic love could be a title for John's epistle.

What is interesting to me is that off all the words John chooses to close his epistle with, he chooses, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (5:21; ESV).

At first glance this might seem anti-climatic. Idols? Aren't those wooden blocks that island natives worship merely wooden blocks? If it was anti-climatic in John's day, how about in our day ... when our scientific skepticism keeps the supernatural out of our imaginative reach? Idols? Haven't we in our "sophistication" rendered all things supernatural, un-natural, for the 21st Century?

While those of us who attempt to take Scripture seriously balk at the above attitude, there are "practical" atheists who fill our churches. I'm sure we know some. Of course we might actually be some of them ourselves. Of course you at least know some.

What happens when we need medical attention? Who do we call ... at least first? Well ... we might voice such prayer requests for other people but not until Sunday morning worship. But we certainly don't voice any need for ourselves of others. We can do these things on our own.

Folks, I hate to tell you, but this privatized version of Christianity is nothing more than practical atheism, which is acknowledging God with the lips but leaving him out of the planning and doing and needing.

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

Actually, we might serve more powerful idols in our culture than in some others ... at least more deceptive idols. An idol is pretty powerful to convince you he's not real and then con you into serving him whole-heartily.

Do we have idols in our American sophistication? What about great wealth? What about sexual prowess? What about being power-hungry, unable to allow others some measure of control?

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

What then is the nature of an idol? Perhaps we can come close to picture by inquiring into God's nature? He told Moses he is the Great I Am. He is the eternally self-existent one, who needs no one or nothing. This Great I Am made us and owns us and made us to be dependent totally on him who can provide for all of our needs perfectly.

Remember the first of the Ten Commandments?

Perhaps the nature of idols is more a reflection of our nature. In my great desire I absolutely crave _______________ (you fill in the blank) above all else. People in yester-year prayed to the War god, Mars for demolition of enemies. Today, people pray to their own ego and pride for demolition of corporate enemies. Perhaps, then, the presence of idols are our vain judgment God for supposedly not meeting our needs out of his eternal supply.

Well, thinking of the three ideas we mentioned from John's first epistle, the charge to keep ourselves from idols only makes sense. Here are the three ideas once again:

1. God is love (4:8).
2. God is love, so we must love our neighbor ... how can we claim to love God but in actuality hate our brother (4:20).
3. Reassurance for forgiveness and cleansing from all sin upon confessing sin (1:9).

Idols, which are the tangible evidence of my unrestrained belly, sabotage all three.

When I allow my belly no restraints I miss or bypass totally the charges, principles, precepts, directions, and commands that God in his love has put into place for me to avoid hell on earth. If I avoid God's charges, principles, precepts, directions, and commands, then I am avoiding God ... and thus rendering his love for me of no account. If I render his love of no account, then because the nature of God is love, I render him of no account.

If my belly is unrestrained then I will attempt to fill it despite whatever obstacles might lay in my way. In fact I will obliterate any obstacles in my way to filling my belly ... even my wife and children. Oh I might not mean to hurt my wife and children, but if out of my insatiable desire for emotional fulfillment and I enter into an affair, then by default my unrestrained belly has destroyed my wife and children. By default I have engaged in behavior that is actually hate for my wife and children. If I hate my brother, then the love of God is not in me.

God's love knows no bounds, but what happens when I'm continually confessing sin, but continually worshipping my idol, which is my unrestrained belly. Do I not then mock the forgiveness of God? Is it not possible that I would grow callous to the Holy Spirit's pleading and convicting. If so, would I eventually not even care that I am in sin and need forgiveness?

While at first John's final words in his epistle might seem anti-climatic or even trivial. But when the nature of idols are considered along with human nature, they are some of the most profound words in the Bible.

As a side note, while the first of the Ten Commandments directs us to have no other gods, the last of the Ten direct us to not covet. Given the nature of idol worship to be the celebration of the unrestrained belly, the placement of the first and last of the Ten Commandments makes perfect sense as well.

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." John is not speaking to kids but adult believers. Idols are dangerous even for us "sophisticated" adult believers.