Worshiping the One True God

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God… there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:5-6; also see Isaiah 44:8)

 

“This is eternal life: that they know You, the ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

 

“God spoke all these words: ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before (beside) me.’ ” (Exodus 20:1-2)

 

Any heart pursuit which does not have the God of Scripture as the absolute highest object of affection in our lives is idolatry (whether that be false religion, atheism, agnosticism, materialism, self-absorption, money, entertainment, sex, comfort… you name it!). Many people today are practicing polytheists without even realizing it! In other words, even if we don’t bow down to (or pray to) statues or images of gods, any time we give ourselves to something other than the One True God… or simply allow something in our lives to be more important than God… we are committing idolatry. The uncomfortable truth is that most modern Americans are actually practicing polytheists or idolaters without even knowing it!

 

Our God is the ONLY TRUE GOD. There are no other gods. Full stop. This means God alone deserves to be the sole focal point of our life!

 

Here are a few questions to determine whether you and I are having problems with idolatry: Where do I spend my time? Where do I spend my money? Where do I get my joy? What’s always on my mind?

 

PRAYER TIME/ACTION ITEM: Take some time in prayer to honestly review your life. Ask the Lord if there are any things in your life which you have allowed to usurp God’s rightful position? Now courageously write down what you believe the Lord is showing you. What steps do you resolve to take to prioritize your relationship with God and make sure He doesn’t have to compete with “lessor gods” in your life? Take this list home with you and place it on your bathroom mirror or some other place where you will see it each day and reaffirm anew your desire to worship the ONE TRUE GOD.

 

Remember: Even “good things” can end up competing with God for first place in our lives. But “good things” stop being good if they come before God (Exodus 20:1-2).

 

Once you have resolved to allow only the ONE TRUE GOD to be the object of your worship, you are ready to move on to Station #5