JULY 12
KEEP YOURSELF FROM IDOLS
1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (WEB)
I love the simple yet profound nature of John's final words in 1 John. Throughout this entire letter, John addresses his readers as his 'little children.’ In his closing words to them, he says, 'Keep yourselves from idols.’
In the pagan world system that John lived in, it was easy to identify an idol. There were actual temples dedicated to false gods throughout the Gentile empire, and idol worship was the norm at that time. Today, many cultures still build temples to false gods, but in Western culture, idols are usually more subtle. When John tells us to keep ourselves from idols, he is not only talking about literal idols but anything we choose to worship instead of God.
John encourages us in today's Bible reading to avoid anything that would distract us from worshiping the one and only true God. For some, it might be wealth; for others, it might be pride; and for yet others, it could be religious striving and performance.
Today, I pray that we all become so captivated by our loving God that everything else fades away in comparison. May we keep our eyes on the beauty of God shown through our Elder Brother Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) and be overwhelmed by His goodness.
Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (WEB)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (WEB)
I love the simple yet profound nature of John's final words in 1 John. Throughout this entire letter, John addresses his readers as his 'little children.’ In his closing words to them, he says, 'Keep yourselves from idols.’
In the pagan world system that John lived in, it was easy to identify an idol. There were actual temples dedicated to false gods throughout the Gentile empire, and idol worship was the norm at that time. Today, many cultures still build temples to false gods, but in Western culture, idols are usually more subtle. When John tells us to keep ourselves from idols, he is not only talking about literal idols but anything we choose to worship instead of God.
John encourages us in today's Bible reading to avoid anything that would distract us from worshiping the one and only true God. For some, it might be wealth; for others, it might be pride; and for yet others, it could be religious striving and performance.
Today, I pray that we all become so captivated by our loving God that everything else fades away in comparison. May we keep our eyes on the beauty of God shown through our Elder Brother Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) and be overwhelmed by His goodness.
Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (WEB)