Flee from Idolatry

Flee from Idolatry

Those who serve Jesus with all their hearts have great promises on their side. John writes in 1 John 5:18: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” It is precisely to such people that John writes in verse 21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Even a little self-admiration leads me away from Christ and is idolatry.

Paul writes something similar in 1 Cor. 10:12-13: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” He writes to those who have the promise of a favorable outcome of the temptation in verse 14: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

The fear of God teaches us to walk with vigilance and fear. It is only when we serve Him with all our hearts that we have promises of partaking of eternal life here on earth and for all eternity. We have everything in Christ and in His commandments; in Him we desire to be built up and rooted. Such a person does not wonder what is sin and what isn’t. A disciple’s daily life consists of agreeing with the Holy Spirit’s judgment over sin in the flesh.

Saul spared what God had told him to curse. That is why God rejected him. Through disobedience, my worship of God becomes nothing but an outward show. We need to remember that all life comes from God, and when we serve Him with all our hearts, His promises are fulfilled. John writes to those who are strong, who have the word of God abiding in them and who have overcome the wicked one: “Do not love the world or the things in the world!” It is only through the love of the Father, which is within us, that we can overcome the wicked one.

The word of God and His commandments preserve us and help us grow in goodness. How thankful we are to have such help from the Father at our side! Let us love Him with all our hearts, so that more of His commandments may be revealed to us.