September 17th

Wise-Up

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:6-8

The opposite of belief isn't atheism. That might be news for some of you, but it's true. The opposite of belief isn't atheism, it's idolatry.

The people in Corinth in Paul's day had a long list of things they worshiped-power, wealth, intelligence, sex, youth, beauty, luck, music, healing, comfort, and more-and our society worships these exact same things. In fact, in our culture this has simplified into one looming image as we worship ourselves; mere mortals worshiping other mere mortals.

I watched a secular concert once on television and the whole crowd was up on their feet with their hands in the air, swaying back and forth. That was far more exuberant worship than it ever gets in most churches, but who was it for? For Taylor Swift? For Cyrus? For Eminem?

The problem here is that we become like that which we worship. You run by the local middle school and you see a bunch of Eminem look-a-likes running around. You have an outof-control issue with ten, eleven, and twelve year old girls who want thong underwear because that's what is being held up as the standard for our society.

But Paul breaks in to the middle of this scene and says, Hold on, church. This way the world is going is nonsense. And you can easily hear the world's response, and maybe you're saying this, too: But I want it, so I want you to tell me that what I want is right.

I won't tell you that what you want is right.

But I want it!

Even if it's wrong? Even if it hurts someone? Even if it breaks the heart of God?

Yes, I don't care. I want it. That's what the world says; that's what pride says, digging in its heels and insisting on what it wants, never honoring God.

But wisdom honors God, and is rewarded for it. Jesus asked, What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36). We can idolize ourselves and worship all the gods of Corinth, but it's a perverted, pride-filled life destined for Hell.

Choose wisdom today. Honor God in your choices and worship Him alone. Only then do you have hope, both now for this life and for life everlasting in heaven.

Prayer Father God,

You are the only God worthy of worship! I'm sorry for any way that I have worshiped the gods of this world-the gods of self-but I repent now and ask You to lead me in the way of wisdom.

Amen