WHO IS YOUR GOD?

Man is a worshipful being. He is going to pay homage to someone whether it be to himself or to another. He may say that there is no God but in the same breath he is saying there is one. For, when one asserts that there is no supreme being, he is setting himself and mankind as supreme beings -- and he would have to be God to prove his statement.

Not all people worship and serve the God we serve -- the true and living God. And taking a closer look, one would be convinced that many of us do not acknowledge Him either. For our God becomes God to us because of the time that we give Him, the worship we offer Him.

Who is your God? Is he the true God of heaven or some object that you have created? Is he spiritual or is he physical? Is he heavenly or is he earthly? You might not bow to a man-made idol as the heathen have done; you might not worship the sun, moon, and stars; but you may be bowing to something else, which in reality amounts to the same.

Many have bowed to the GOD OF PLEASURE. All they can think of is having a good time. They feel that they must sow their wild oats. However, they fail to realize that as sure as they sow they must reap. Paul writes, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Gal. 6:7,8).

Others worship the GOD OF MONEY. To them money is the almighty, and they even speak of the "almighty dollar." But money has been the ruin of many a person. Paul says, "For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Tim. 6:10). Money may do many things but money can do this too. It may be a powerful weapon for good, but if mishandled it can be a more powerful weapon for bad. Is money your god? Be careful! Don't put your trust into it. Don't crave it. Don't lust after it. Be content with what you have. Salvation does not come by such things as silver and gold but by the precious blood of Christ. (1 Pet. 1:18,19).

Thousands worship the GOD OF FASHION. If it is the fashion to be immodest in their dress, they are immodest. Oh no, they just couldn't go contrary to the fashion of the day. But we read, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." (1 Tim. 2:9). Fashion, to some extent, may be all right, but fashion for fashion's sake is wrong. It is certainly commendable to dress in good taste, but when one throws away every principle and submits to the fahion world to do as it directs regardless of cost, modesty, etc., it becomes exceedingly wrong. If more would think less of such things and think more of their spiritual makeup, it might do some good. Remember, you may be in fashion with the world but out of fashion with God. Which do you prefer?

The GOD OF POWER has its followers. Nations and countries have gone to war because of a desire for power. Men have sought to obtain this through the accumulation of money and property. Thus it seems that the average person isn't satisfied unless he is considered "boss" or unless he is recognized as being the top man. But power can destroy one just as easily as it can build one up. It is because of the lust for power that nations, organizations, businesses, and individuals have been devoured and swallowed up. Remember, regardless of how far one may go in this world, he can go but so far. There is always one who is a little higher. The Bible teaches that Christ has all power in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18).

Another GOD is called PRIDE. Too many people think more of their pride than they do their soul. There are those who should obey the gospel but pride holds them back. Many others need to repent of their sins and pray that God will forgive them but they do not because of their haughty spirit. Some need help physically but pride keeps them from asking. Yes, pride is a funny thing. It hinders in many ways. Christ has said, "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Lk. 18:14).

The GOD OF DENOMINATIONALISM has spellbound the majority of people in this country. The average man will join a denomination before he'll become a member of the Lord's church. He'll wear the name of some man rather than the name of Christ. Consequently, man honors man's plan of salvation over the Lord's. But we read, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Rom. 16:17). Christ said that their worship is in vain. (Matt. 15:9).

There is another GOD named PRAISE. Many do everything for the praise of men. They love glory and honor. They had rather be popular with man than be found on the Lord's side. But the love of praise can be one's downfall. Christ says in Matt. 6 that if one does what he does for the praise of men that he already has his reward.

My friend, who is your God? Is he one of those that we have mentioned or is he the one true God of the Bible? Paul says in Eph. 4:6 that there is but one, so we must make up our minds who we shall serve. Will it be an idol or will it be the God of heaven?

In the long ago when the people of Israel had a similar choice, Joshua said, "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Jos. 24:14,15).

By J. C. Choate in Christian Worker, Nov. 5, 1959.

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