Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21
Heavenly Father, this one little verse stirs up many strong images in my memory bank. In Rome I saw statues of the various gods that filled the temples and lifestyle of that great ancient city. In London I walked the corridors of the biggest Hindu temple in the city, moving from station to station as worshipers offered prayers and gifts to deities that looked quite strange to me. In Israel I studied decaying remains of various idols which competed for the worship of your people. Idolatry is everywhere because there’s no such thing as a non-worshiper.
Yet for me to obey John’s command to keep myself from idols requires so much more than simply staying away from ancient sites, pagan temples, and man-made idols. I wish it was that simple. Father, I’ve never been more aware of the visible and invisible pantheon of idols that are constantly angling and clamoring for my heart’s worship. I can turn anything and anyone into an idol. How I wish that as soon as you placed me in Christ my struggle with idolatry would have ceased. That is just not the case, or this warning would be entirely irrelevant.
Father, as this year begins, here are a few of the things which can rise to idol status and power in my life. Sometimes the approval or rejection of people has more sway over me than what you think about me. Sometimes my need to be right is more compelling to me than being righteous in Christ. Sometimes my desire to be in control of people and circumstances claims much more of my time and energy than seeking your face, savoring your grace, and serving your Son—the true King. Sometimes my commitment to a pain-free heart is stronger than my commitment to a gospel-liberated life. These are just a few of the things which bear the mark of idolatry in my life.
Have mercy on me, Father, and free my foolish heart from giving anything or anyone the attention, allegiance, affection, and adoration you alone deserve. The fact that I’m one of your “dear children”—forgiven, secure, righteous, and beloved in Christ—should be all the motivation I need to keep myself from every form of idolatry. May the gospel of your grace relentlessly expose and dethrone all “empty nothings” from my heart. May the beauty of Jesus make the idols of my heart ever so ugly. I look so forward to the Day when I will worship, love and serve only you, with all of your redeemed children. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ most excellent and worthy name.