The apostle Paul noted in Athens that the
people had erected a god to
the “unknown god.” Let’s talk about some
“well-known” gods.
There is the “BUT” god. Jesus talked about him. The
supper was ready and the guests were invited, and they all began to
make
excuse. “I would come BUT I have bought a piece of
land…I would come BUT I have
some new oxen to be proven…I would come, BUT I have married
a wife.
There
is the “LATER ON” god. Felix worshiped him.
“At a
more convenient season…” Some say, “One
of these days…”; others say, “Later on,
when I have time…when the kids are gone…when I
can find a church that suits me,
where I can be made to feel good…”
Some
worship at the altar of “IT SEEMS TO
ME…” Naaman
of old was his disciple. “I thought the prophet would do thus
and so…” Today,
there are those who say,” It seems to me that one church is
as good as
another…” among other things.
There
is the god “CHEAP SERVICE.” Ananias and Sapphira,
along with the Jews who didn’t want to be cast out of the
synagogue, were his
followers.
Last of all, there is the “LET ME THINK ABOUT IT”
god.
What is there to think about? One is lost in sin and can only be saved
by
obedience to Christ.
What god are you
worshiping?
A
Half-Baked Pancake
By
Ernest S. Underwood
If
you went out to eat and ordered pancakes, how would
you react if they were done on one side, but were uncooked on the other
side?
Doesn’t sound too tasty, does it? This is how God described Israel
in the days of Hosea the
prophet. In Hosea 7:8
the
prophet says, “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples;
Ephraim is a cake
unturned.” The nation of Israel
thought it could give lip service to God, while participating in all
the things
of the world. The Israelites offered sacrifice, but their hearts were
not in
it.
Jesus told His disciples that they were in the world,
but were not to be of the world. Paul warned that those who practiced
the works
of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God.
If you are trying to hold on to the world while being a
“little religious,” you need to make some changes.
Today would be a good time
to begin.
Are you a
half-baked cake?
