One God

Ephesians 4:6-9

Contrary to popular belief, there’s only “One God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (the body of Christ) (vs. 6). “In the beginning God…”, and there was none else except the “Word”, who was with God in the beginning. So, where did all these other “gods” come from? 1 Corinthians 8:5 reads, “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many)”, but this was in reference to how the heathen would use not only images, but the sun, moon, planets, stars, oceans, rivers, trees, and all other things in creation to serve as gods.

God stated plainly, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”, yet men willing ignored that commandment, and placed senseless idols and graven images in place of the almighty God. There’s not a thing any idol or image can do to create life, sustain it, or enhance it in any way, so why do men neglect acknowledging the God of creation, and choose to worship something that was made by the Creator? This makes absolutely no sense, yet there are those who are hell-bent on keeping their faith, hope, and trust in a tree.

Modern-day gods have taken the form of things more subtle, including careers, people, and the mighty dollar. My, oh my, how so many have submitted themselves to the love of money, so much so, until they’ll do nearly anything to obtain it. While some are drawn away by their greed for cash, others get lost in their careers, while forgetting the importance of balancing self and family also. When we place anything above God, we become slaves to what those things represent. A job can’t restore your strength, but God can. Money can’t buy love, but God can give it freely. A tree can’t hug you, and transfer the positive energy you need to make it through another day, but God can place people in your life who can do that, and much more.

If there are things in your life you dedicate an excessive amount of time in, that takes away opportunities for you to get close to God, reconsider whether or not those things are even necessary for your life. If your job is keeping you from living holy, get another one. If the company you keep causes you to drift away from God’s ordinances, find new company. If your TV, cell phone, tablet, playstation controller, or other device gets more of your attention than God does, put it aside, and give God what He’s worth. Let nothing become a god in your life, and guard yourself from the subtlety of the world’s influence, that causes you to devote precious time into futile things.

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell