Good Morning “Worshipers of Jesus”. Today we are in Hosea 8.
Israel has so integrated idol worship into her lifestyle that even her “religious practices” were nothing more than platforms for more sin.
“Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.” Hosea 8:11
How can this be? How can an alter meant to do business with God become an alter for sin? Often Scripture answers our questions for us fairly quickly… we need only seek the answer within It.
I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.”
Hosea 8:11-12 NIV
The Word of God had become foreign to them. The word used here in the original language is really a word that means strange. Their idol worship, the thing they ascribed power to, the things they worshiped, had so infiltrated their lives that they even permeated their worship practices. Gods Word, His ordinances meant to define their worship seemed strange, out of line - excessive (1 Corinthians 2:14) Sound familiar?
Haven’t we entertained those kind of ideas? We piece and part The Word of God. We all choose at times to emphasize the parts that we more readily accept. We downplay and forget the parts that mess with our categories.
The fuel behind it is the elevation of ourselves, our own understanding, and reconciliation of The Word. Thus whether we realize it or not, we worship ourselves. Hence, it is possible for even our worship to become sinful.
Consider some of the “Christian” music out there. Some songs turn the focus to ourselves rather than the Glory to God. Others diminish Him and elevate us “Reckless Love of God”. God is never Reckless… get it? Songs that promise our every desire fulfilled.
“Watered down”, “feel good”, “name it and claim it” messages may indeed net more butts in seats and money in plates - but fail to teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). They distort His Character and attempt to place Him in a box that better suits our current state of maturity, than His Word.
Ouch… could it be true? Consider It with humble hearts.
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
Israel has so integrated idol worship into her lifestyle that even her “religious practices” were nothing more than platforms for more sin.
“Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.” Hosea 8:11
How can this be? How can an alter meant to do business with God become an alter for sin? Often Scripture answers our questions for us fairly quickly… we need only seek the answer within It.
I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.”
Hosea 8:11-12 NIV
The Word of God had become foreign to them. The word used here in the original language is really a word that means strange. Their idol worship, the thing they ascribed power to, the things they worshiped, had so infiltrated their lives that they even permeated their worship practices. Gods Word, His ordinances meant to define their worship seemed strange, out of line - excessive (1 Corinthians 2:14) Sound familiar?
Haven’t we entertained those kind of ideas? We piece and part The Word of God. We all choose at times to emphasize the parts that we more readily accept. We downplay and forget the parts that mess with our categories.
The fuel behind it is the elevation of ourselves, our own understanding, and reconciliation of The Word. Thus whether we realize it or not, we worship ourselves. Hence, it is possible for even our worship to become sinful.
Consider some of the “Christian” music out there. Some songs turn the focus to ourselves rather than the Glory to God. Others diminish Him and elevate us “Reckless Love of God”. God is never Reckless… get it? Songs that promise our every desire fulfilled.
“Watered down”, “feel good”, “name it and claim it” messages may indeed net more butts in seats and money in plates - but fail to teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). They distort His Character and attempt to place Him in a box that better suits our current state of maturity, than His Word.
Ouch… could it be true? Consider It with humble hearts.
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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