Discerning Idolatry in Desire
Most of us realize that enjoying anything other than God, from the best gift to the basest pleasure, can become idolatry. Paul says in Colossians 3:5, “Covetousness is idolatry.”
“Covetousness” means desiring something other than God in the wrong way. But what does that mean—“in the wrong way”?
The reason this matters is both vertical and horizontal. Idolatry will destroy our relationship with God. And it will destroy our relationships with people.
All human relational problems—from marriage and family to friendship to neighbors to classmates to colleagues—all of them are rooted in various forms of idolatry, that is, wanting things other than God in wrong ways.
So here is my effort to think biblically about what those wrong ways are. What makes an enjoyment idolatrous? What turns a desire into covetousness, which is idolatry?
Continue reading »
HOW DEAD PEOPLE DO BATTLE WITH SIN
Carved in the bark of every tree in the garden of God are the words, “If it dies it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). Three words are branded into the flesh of every Christian: “YOU … HAVE … DIED” (Colossians 3:3). And the heartfelt confession of every believer is, “I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). But what does this mean? Who died when I became a Christian? Answer: my “flesh” died. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified THE FLESH” (Galatians 5:24).
Continue reading »
Marriage… Committment is Essential (Part 8)
The Ten Commandments of a Marriage Covenant
| Covenant Between Israel and Yahweh | Covenant Between Wife and Husband |
| 4. Remembering the Sabbath Day | 4. Giving my spouse time and rest |
| 5. Honoring father and mother | 5. Rightly relating to parents and parents-in-law |
| 6. No murder | 6. Freedom from hatred, destructive anger and uncontrolled emotions |
Marriage… Commitment is Essential (Part 7)
The Ten Commandments of a Marriage Covenant
| Covenant Between Israel and Yahweh | Covenant Between Wife and Husband |
| 1. No other Gods | 1. Exclusive loyalty to my spouse |
| 2. No graven image | 2. Truthfulness and faithfulness |
| 3. Not taking the Lord’s name in vain | 3. Honoring my spouse in public and private |
Marriage… Committment is Essential (Part 6)
A marriage covenant is characterized by total, exclusive, continuing and growing commitment. We have looked at Total, Exclusive and Continuing commitment and in this newsletter we shall briefly touch on Growing commitment.
Continue reading »
Marriage… Commitment is Essential (Part 5)
A marriage covenant is characterized by total, exclusive, continuing and growing commitment. Last month we looked at Total commitment and in this newsletter we shall briefly touch Exclusive and Continuing.
Continue reading »
Marriage… Commitment is Essential (Part 4)
A marriage covenant is characterized by total, exclusive, continuing and growing commitment. Over the next few newsletters we shall take a brief look at each of these four basic characteristics.
Total Commitment. To accept marriage as a sacred covenant means first of all to be willing to make a total commitment of ourselves to our marriage partners. This is why Paul in Ephesians compares marriage to the relationship of Christ with His church (Eph 5:25-26).
Continue reading »
Marriage… Commitment is Essential (Part 3)
A brief recap from last month:
Are we willing to make a lifelong commitment to “I Do”?
Are we willing to put in the time needed?
Are we willing to accept each other as we are and yet work hard on our short comings?
Are we willing to process and resolve bad feeling frequently and quickly?
Continue reading »
Marriage… Commitment is Essential (Part 2)
Genesis 24:58-60 (New International Version)
58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”
“I will go,” she said.
Continue reading »
Marriage… It is God’s idea (Part 1)
Genesis 2:18-24 (New International Version)
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Continue reading »
