He claims further that such action was a virtual renunciation (continued)
Against idolatry St. Paul says that the unity of the godhead is a fundamental principle in Christianity and in all right religion (1 Cor. viii. 6). The gods of the heathen must be nothing in the world, must have no divinity in them, nothing of real godhead belonging to them. For "there is no other God but one". Others may be called gods. "There be that are called gods in heaven and earth, gods many and lords many." But they are there falsely thus called. The heathen had many of these, some in heaven and some on earth; celestial deities that were of the highest rank and repute among them; and terrestrial ones, men made into gods, that were.to mediate for men with the former, and were deputed by them to preside over earthly affairs.
We Christians are better informed. We well know there is but one God, the fountain of being, the author of all things, maker, preserver, and governor of the whole world, "of whom, and for whom, are all things'. There is not one God to govern one part of mankind, or one rank or order of men, and another to govern another; one God made all, and therefore has power over all. All things are of Him and we and all things else are for Him.
7. IDOLATRY AND MATERIALISM And just as we must not place another where God alone should stand, neither must the things of this world come between us and Him. "'Covetousness'', for example, "is idolatry'' (Col. #22. 5). Covetousness is an inordinate love of present good and outward enjoyments. It is the giving of that love and regard to worldly wealth which are due to God only. It carries a greater degree of malignity in it, and is more highly provoking to God than is commonly thought. And it is very observable that among all the instances of sin which good men are recorded in the Scripture to have fallen into (and there is scarcely any but some or other, in one or other part of their life, have fallen into) there is no instance in all Scripture of any good man charged with covetousness.
In light of all this well may we heed the apostle John's admonition (1 John v. 21). 'Little children,"' dear children as it has been interpreted, "keep yourselves from idols." Since you know the true God, and are in Him, let your light and love guard you against all that is advanced in opposition to Him, or competition with Him. Flee from the false gods of the Idolatry 121 heathen world. They are not comparable to the God whose you are and whom you serve. Adore not your God by statues and images, which share in His worship. Your God is an incomprehensible spirit, and is disgraced by such sordid representations. Hold no communion with your heathen neighbours in their idolatrous worship. Your God is jealous and would have you come out and be separated from among them. Mortify the flesh, and be crucified to the world, that they may not usurp the throne and dominion in your heart which is due only to God. The God whom you have known is He that made you, that redeemed you by His Son, that has sent His Gospel to you, that has pardoned your sins, and begotten you unto Himself by His Spirit, and given you eternal life. Cleave to Him in faith, love, and constant obedience, in opposition to all things, brethren, that would alienate your mind and heart from God. To this living and true God be glory and dominion for ever and ever! Amen.
Great Themes of the Bible
SERMON OUTLINE
IDOLATRY
Tue IpoLatry OF IsraEL (Exod. xxxii) (a) Their Idolatry of the Golden Calf Due to Weariness (i) Weary of waiting for the promised land (ii) Weary of waiting for the return of Moses (iii) Weary of waiting for the divinely ordained worship (6) Their Demand for New Gods (c) Their Idolatrous Feast (d) The Ineffectiveness of the Law to Prevent Idolatry
THE IDOLATRY OF THE LEARNED (Acts xvii) (a) The Condition of Athens: "' Wholly Given to Idolatry" (6) The Conduct of the Apostle
II.
(i) In the synagogue, the place of worship (ii) In the market, the place of commerce
III.
IDOLATRY IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (1 Cor., etc.) (a) To share in Heathen Feasts is to Partake of Idolatry (6) Such Action is a Renunciation of Christianity, which Acknowledges only One God (c) Covetousness is a Form of Idolatry to be Shunned (d) "Little Children, Keep Yourselves from Idols"'