A Little Stone Image of You

The greatest idol isn't money, power, or fame. No, it is control.

An idol is an image of God. Why would God be concerned about a simple representation of Himself?

He is not.

It's not like an idol is any real threat to His authority...

The problem with an idol is our tendency to use things to feel like we are in control, to feel like we can become like God. This "tendency" is called the sin nature.

You see, mankind created an idol, an image of god that is manipulatable. "If I sacrifice three pigs and a calf to this wee stone thing, god must give me what I want."

It has always been and still is about control. "Christians" use idols all the time.

Prayer has become an idol.

"The Power of Prayer"

Faith has become an Idol.

"Word Faith! It's all about what you say and how you say it! I believe it, so it will be so!"

Service has become an idol.

"Look at how awesome that man is. Look at the ministry he built!"

Worship has become an idol.

"God really wants our worship. I give it my all!"

Study has become an idol.

"I study to show I am approved! It is why I see more than you!"

Even kindness has become an idol.

"I help feed the poor, what are you doing?"

If you do anything to "appease" or manipulate God, you have an idol. You falsely believe you have power, control. "If I do this _______, then god will do this ______."

Faith doesn't work that way... the Law does.

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but the Law clearly shows that there is nothing you can do to please God.

It is ONLY faith.

That IS what the Book says.

You can't DO faith! You either have it or you don't. It is given as a gracious gift from God.

Control is "I will ascend".

Jesus showed us the Way... He descended to lift up, Philippians Chapter 2.

The opposite of faith is control.

It is a matter of your heart, not how cute the little image of yourself is.