IDOLATRY (part 22) Modern Day Idolatry

Dear children of light, since we have looked at the basics of what the true church is, starting back in part 10, now we will begin to look at the false church. I have avoided naming a specific church or religion, although I have no problem with it, that is not the purpose of this study, and there is excellent information on the actual names of various cults in many other places, including this site.

My point here is to aid the saints in understanding what is the true and only standard God’s word in ALL things. I pray it may be clear by now that as the true church is defined by its absolute submission to the worship, love and obedience to the Godhead, sound Biblical doctrine, application and practices, so the false church is also defined about how distant it is from these aforementioned measures.

God’s word, correctly interpreted, applied and obeyed in practice , not in word only, is the final standard for the true church.

Let us start first with the institutional church this type of  false church often defines itself as a physical building, organization, or institution and that is what it is. Some try to defend the institutional church, but saints we know that Jesus did not die on the cross and rise again to save a facility, neither is He coming back for a facility.

He died and rose again to save sinners, and He will return for His saints, the true church.

Idolatry still exists today, openly, secretly, and often subtly, that is not obvious or apparent as such. It goes without saying, dear children of God that when we make anything more important than God, that thing becomes an idol, whether it is seen or unseen. Let us search our hearts, lives, and minds to identify any idol, or deal with even the temptation of it. Let us refuse to compromise by willingly renouncing them, counting on God’s love, power and strength to turn away from all such. And so will we do by the power of our God, who strengthens us to be more than conquerors, through Christ Jesus who loves us.

Beloved children of the day, it is important to see that I have not used the names of any particular denomination or religion, for the same reason I did not use the names of any idols, because the content, meaning deeds , works, actions, arguments for and behaviors of a thing is more important than the name it bears. Every thing that uses or claims the name of Christ does not necessarily belong to Christ-by their fruit ye shall know them. Next time may Jesus cause us to meet here again and we will continue on with the study.

love

serola

Blessings and thanks to the Lord Jesus, whose way is always right, and praise Him for the Lord is good All the time.

Thank you Holy Father, regardless of our earthly circumstances, whether in joy or heaviness-thank you, for allowing us to belong to you in your eternal kingdom. Thank you Holy Spirit, for being our teacher, and so much more, helping us even when we do not know what to pray, you look into our hearts and carry our needs to God with words that cannot be uttered.

Now, dear brothers and sisters I want to continue on with some of the detrimental things that happen when the church facility is deified. I will give you an example of how subtle some of these thing are. I was looking at a t.v. broadcast. Apparently a storm or tornado had torn down a church facility. The pastor and others in the flock were standing around looking forlorn at the now unrecognizable wreckage of their facility strewn about, and this paraphrased dialogue ensued: the pastor said: the church is destroyed, but thank God nobody got hurt, and we will build the church again. I have seen quite a few scenarios on t.v. like this. I invite your comments, dear saints, on what is the problem with this dialogue, how you would rewrite this dialogue, that would please and give glory to Jesus, then I will post my answer.

I was on my way to gather with the saints for worship services this Sunday, on the way, I had the chance to talk with some other saints, although we were not going to the same place. After listening much to their conversation, about the positive things of their church, the choir, etc. I mentioned that Jesus did not die on the cross and revive for any building, and that He is not coming back for one, but for the saints. They were quite startled (although I had thought they would not be). They responded with hearty “Amens” and relief, and rightly so, for the saints were not made for the facility.

I want to say once again I am not painting with a broad brush here, for there are multitudes of overseers and their flock who have knowledge that the facility is nothing. But there are some who do not have this knowledge.

I believe some of the multiple problems that happens when the building is deified, is that the saints are denigrated. The overseers exclude themselves from biblical church discipline, allowing destructive and inappropriate behaviors to flourish, and the teachings become fast food spirituality. Like much fast food, it can fill one up, and make one fat while offering little real nourishment. At the conclusion of this study on idolatry I will prayerfully give some God centered answers on what can be done to remedy these problems.

The study will be continued and we will note some other forms of idolatry that can still be found today. God bless you kings and priests, made so by the precious blood of our risen Saviour. I pray our Lord will join us together here again next time.

Love

serola