This week in our study over the Ten Commandments, we looked at the Second Commandment concerning idols and idolatry. This can be a difficult topic because there is much ambiguity around what constitutes an idol and how we define worship. For most of us, when we think of an idol, we think of a small figure of some sort, handcrafted from some medium (wood, metal, stone, etc.). Likewise, when we think of worship, we think of physically prostrating oneself before someone or something...the object of said worship.
These definitions suit us well, because they both point to an easily recognizable and, if so desired, avoidable reality. The problem, however, is that idols and idolatry are far less blatant in the lives of Christians. Often, if we aren't careful, we may not even realize that they are present in our lives. And yet, as John Calvin puts it, "the human mind is...a perpetual forge of idols." He continues:
"The human mind, stuffed as it is with presumptuous rashness, dares to imagine a god suited to its own capacity; as it labours under dullness, nay, is sunk in the grossest ignorance, it substitutes vanity and an empty phantom in the place of God. To these evils another is added. The god whom man has thus conceived inwardly he attempts to embody outwardly. The mind, in this way, conceives the idol, and the hand gives it birth. That idolatry has its origin in the idea which men have, that God is not present with them unless his presence is carnally exhibited, appears from the example of the Israelites: 'Up,' said they, 'make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we [know] not what is become of him,' (Exodus 32:1). They knew, indeed, that there was a God whose mighty power they had experienced in so many miracles, but they had no confidence of his being near to them, if they did not with their eyes behold a corporeal symbol of his presence, as an attestation to his actual government. They desired, therefore, to be assured by the image which went before them, that they were journeying under Divine guidance. And daily experience shows, that the flesh is always restless until it has obtained some figment like itself, with which it may vainly solace itself as a representation of God. In consequence of this blind passion men have, almost in all ages since the world began, set up signs on which they imagined that God was visibly depicted to their eyes."
As human beings, we have been created in the image of God and with an innate desire to worship, and yet because of sin, those desires manifest themselves as a lustful worship of God's creation, over and above the Creator himself. Calvin's point is simply that our problem isn't merely that our sinful minds vainly seek to fashion for ourselves a god to our own liking, but that this desire always leads to a physical action. So we don't merely struggle with idols of the heart and mind, but we also create for ourselves tangible objects of worship. Thus the affections of my heart give birth to acts of physical worship.
Here's where the water gets murky for sure. Most of us don't have idols (little crafted gods) in our homes to which we set up altars and perform acts of worship. And yet, many of us, myself included, are more guilty of idol worship then we probably even realize. If we broaden our definitions of "idol" and "worship" then I think this begins to come into focus.
Let's begin by working backwards. First, what is worship? I believe that the Bible defines worship as loving (someone or something) with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27). I think worship can be defined in a number of more elaborate and specific ways, but the Bible seems content with this simple definition. Therefore, it may be a case of less is more. Scripturally speaking then, the object of that worship is to be God, and he alone.
With this working definition of worship in place, I think it is much easier to develop a working definition of an idol and/or idolatry. If worship is an act of love, then an idol would simply be those things in our lives for which we have greater affection than we do for God. Now, let's be really honest here. I could easily say that there is nothing in my life that I love more than God, but are my actions consistent with that statement? Are yours???
If we were to take inventory of our lives, what things do we devote greater time, energy, and resources to over and above God? These may not necessarily be bad things: work, children, spouses, hobbies, service, etc. Is it wrong then, for example, for me to devote a great deal of energy into my family? Am I not commanded in scripture to love them abundantly and sacrificially? Isn't obedience to the commands of God how we express our love for him? These are all excellent questions.
The problem isn't that we do these things, the problem is that we do them in a way that is absent of the presence of God. In other words, does my fulfillment come from my family? Do I look to them for my identity and my purpose? Or am I satisfied in Christ, who calls me to trust in the power of his indwelling Spirit to sacrificially and abundantly love others? It seems like such a subtle difference, but looks can be deceiving.
I want to believe that we don't intend to elevate these things over and above God in our lives, and yet, so often we do. How many times have I been guilty of going entire days without devoting any of my time to my relationship with the Lord. I don't talk to him or engage with him through his word. I likely don't even give him a second thought. And yet I find time for a myriad of other less important things in that stretch of time. Would I say that those things are of greater value than God in my life? Of course not! But, are my actions consistent with my words???
And yet still, even our actions aren't merely the litmus test for the presence of idolatry in our lives. Our religion can itself become an idol if we are not careful. We need look no further than the religious elite of Jesus' day for examples of this. Jesus reserved some of his harshest criticism for the religious leaders of Israel. Their problem wasn't obedience. They went over and above in that department. And yet, their obedience wasn't motivated by affection for God, rather it was itself the object of their affection. They loved the Law because it was their source of pride, identity, and justification. They wore it as a badge of honor. It made them elite and set them in a place of honor and glory. So when Jesus, the embodied glory of God, came to them, they were unable to recognize him.
Here's the sticky wicket when it comes to all of this idolatry talk...it's just hard to recognize sometimes. I don't think we often set out to be idolaters, and yet we often find ourselves struggling in the muck and the mire. Our hearts long to worship, but they are desperately sick and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and lead us to worship wrongly. What hope is there for us!?!?
By grace, through faith, Christ has invaded our hearts. He has entered into our lives and given us new hearts with new desires and new inclinations to bear the good fruit of righteousness in our lives. No longer do we live as slaves to the flesh (Romans 6:17-18). It is the gospel that gives us hope!
As we study through the Ten Commandments, we are faced with two choices. Any time you peer deeply and intently into the Law of God, you can't help but be confronted by your own shortcomings. After all, that is one of the three main purposes of the law that I mentioned last week. When we recognize our brokenness, we can choose to wallow in self pity and shame, or we can choose to press into grace. The former leaves us hopeless, but the latter gives us great reason to be hopeful.
The gospel assures us that Christ has come as the conquering King who has triumphed over our brokenness. He has fulfilled all of the promises that the Law pointed forward to. Edmund Clowney, author of How Jesus Transforms the Ten Commandments, one of the books that Cody has been using in his study and prep time for this sermon series, makes this interesting observation about the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments in the Jewish Tabernacle (and later the Temple):
"Even when the glory of God rested above the cherubim, the lid on the ark, known as 'the mercy seat,' was vacant. That void contained a promise. The One must come for whom that seat was reserved. The throne is reserved for Jesus Christ."
Clowney later writes:
"If you have been a Christian for any length of time at all, you will have realized that the farther you walk along he road of Christian maturity, the more you realize how desperate your own sin is. As you read these lines about true worship, you may feel discouraged. 'How can I ever truly worship God and annihilate the idolatry of my own heart?' you will ask. Let me encourage you to realize that as you are in Christ, you are also worshiping God in him. As you are in the Spirit, your worship is acceptable in God's sight. We come before the throne not for judgment, but for blessing. In Christ, God can accept your worship as perfectly pure and without idolatry. So do not hesitate to offer your Father in heaven the worship that is in your heart. In Christ, his perfect image, it is purified, is made perfect, and is a pleasing aroma to God."
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 2 - The Second Commandment
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. Why does God forbid the use of idols?
2. Is it a violation of the 2nd Commandment to have idols of Jesus?
3. How do we distinguish between the God of the Bible and our imaginations?
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