August 16, 2021
Scripture: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 ESV
Observation: Having written an impassioned letter to the church to live out their eternal lives in Christ by loving God and one another, John closes with this seemingly disjointed admonition. But understanding that idols are false conceptions of God, John is warning us to be alert to those things and people in our lives that can compete for our affection toward Christ because “he is the true God and eternal life” (verse 20).
Takeaway: If we aspire to live the abundant life in Christ (John 10:10), to love God and others well, then we cannot serve two masters. We will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other (Matthew 6:24). In short, there is no room in eternity for idols, for our glorious Triune God fills heaven and earth with his presence (Jeremiah 23:25).
Prayer: Father God, in your mercy, expose those idols that creep into our lives and rob of us your joy. And please help us to turn our affections toward your Son, who is our source for an abundant life. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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