WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE? PART 3

Idolatry is a huge subject in the word of God.  So let us enter in (not into idolatry, but to the study of the topic!).

We have already established the fact that the little book of 1 John uses the word agape, in the noun and verb forms, a disproportionate amount of times when compared with the rest of the New Testament.  And so my observation here is that John closes this letter, which is devoted to love, with a very cryptic statement, “My dear children, keep your selves from idols”.  (Oh, you did not think this closing statement was cryptic?  Cryptic:  “Hidden, mysterious or baffling.”)  I believe John ended with this statement in order to get us to think.  So what do YOU think?  Let’s reflect upon this.  The main consideration of this letter is embodied in the word “love” and so therefore we are to keep ourselves from idols.  These two words, love and idolatry, travel in opposite directions.

In this same vein, Paul tells us in 1 Cor.10:14, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry”.  In other words, run from it!

Let’s take a moment here to see where we began so that we can continue in a straight line.  We began with Romans 12, where we are urged to offer ourselves as living sacrifices; we are to not conform to this world; we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds; we should understand our gifts (graces) given from God; and our love must be genuine.  Will love transform your mind or will idolatry?

I guess if we are to flee from idolatry, then in what direction should we flee?  In the direction of God!!  In other words, seek His face.  We are told in scripture that our love for God is to be perfect; in other words we are to love Him with all of our heart, strength and life.  This is a tall task but we need to pay attention to how we are progressing.  This type of love for God is not attained in an instant.  It is learned over the course of our relationship with Him; it happens over many years.  In fact, (and I might be mistaken, but), I believe we may never accomplish this perfect love until we see Him face to face!  For when the weight of His glory and His holiness are fully revealed to us, what shall we say, but – “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”  (Isaiah 6:3) 

In the meantime, what shall we do?  “Keep ourselves from idolatry.”  Let us consider a few thoughts about this vast subject.

So what, intrinsically, is idolatry?  In one sense it is nothing.  One word used for “idol” in Hebrew is #457 “eliyl” and it literally means “nothing” and can be thought of as vanity.  It is used for and translated “idol” in almost every case.  The first use of this word is in Lev. 19:4, “Do not turn unto “nothing” (idols) or make gods of cast metal for yourselves.”  Some versions of the bible use the word “vanity” to translate the word eliyl.  This definition is helpful because I would suggest that the concept of idolatry has nothing to do with statues of stone and blocks of wood.  But it has everything to so with the mind and heart of the idolater.  Today, the notion of having carved images, from the view point of our tradition in Christianity, seems far-fetched.  But as one author stated, we will always try to “carve upon” those around us when we desire to influence them toward our opinions and motives.  We may go to extreme lengths to coerce someone to think or do as we want without regard to God’s will. 

Case in point and an unusual example of idolatry may be found in Matthew 16:21-25.  In verse 13 of this chapter, Jesus sets up this interesting scenario.  He first asks the disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  They answered; John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or another of the prophets.  He then asks, “But what about you?  Who do you say I am?”

At this point they may not repeat this litany of answers.  Jesus already drew out of them what everyone else said – they now had to think for themselves and be quite honest with their answer.  We know the story; Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Peter answered correctly and received a “pat on the back” from Jesus. He said, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah”.  But then it says that Jesus began to explain that He must suffer many things, He would be killed and would be raised the third day.  It is at this point that Peter slips from his blessed state (verse 17) in the eyes of his Lord and falls into idolatry.  Verse 22:  “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.  ‘Mercy upon you, Lord; for this shall never happen to you!’  Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get behind me adversary!  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’”

First of all, knowing what you know about our Savior, the Messiah, could you honestly rebuke Him?  Peter had just called Him the Messiah, the Son of the living God and yet he rebuked Jesus!  We have here a very good definition of idolatry, “you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  Jesus goes on to say, “If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

I will leave this lesson of Matthew 16 speak for itself at this time.  But I must ask the question; do you have in mind the things of God in everything you do and in everything you say?

Don’t go away folks, there’s still more to come!!