Acts 19:10-20, Sins of False Worship (2)

We sin when we yield to the temptation to live life without God.  We become fools (saying, “there is no God,” Ps. 14:1).  Is there a remedy for this sin?

The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was made that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. … We were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Pt. 2:24-25).  Believers in the first century Church marveled at how the Thessalonian believers turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Th. 1:9).  There was a powerful story of such conversions at Ephesus in Acts 19.  Many believed the gospel, including many who practiced sorcery.  They publicly burned their books of sorcery.  The moving of God’s Spirit was so significant it caused those who made the carved images to struggle in their business.  Is there a remedy for this sin?  Yes!

In dealing with any sin one must acknowledge or confess that sin.  The first two commands emphasized this: no other gods and no graven images.  In both the OT (Deut. 7:25-26) and NT (1 Pt. 4:3) idolatry is said to be an abomination to God.  Literally, both in Hebrew and Greek, it is a “disgusting” thing.

Scripture teaches that idolaters will be judged.  They are outside the gates of heaven (Rev. 22:15).  God’s wrath comes on idolators (Eph. 5:5-6.)  Idolators will not inherit eternal life (Gal. 5:21).  How can they?  They are counting on something that is nothing, literally.  So we must acknowledge the sin of idolatry, trusting in Christ’s sacrifice to bring forgiveness and cleansing.

As Christians, we should no longer walk as the gentiles, working all uncleanness with greediness (idolatry; Eph. 4:17-18). Rather, we should abide in Christ’s love that we might be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:16-19).  Here are a few NT encouragements to help us in this.

·       1 Cor. 10:14: flee idolatry.  Like sexual temptations, we must not engage in a fight but must run from the temptation.  Similarly, we must put to death idolatry (Col. 3:5), as Israel was to destroy the Canaanite idols in OT days.  John encourages us to keep up our guard: keep yourself from idols (1 Jn. 5:21).

·       We need to examine our relationships.  We live around idolators; and we seek to win them for Christ.  But we must not join them in their idolatry in the process.  Do not be partakers with them (Eph. 5:7).  Do not seek agreement with idolatry, since our bodies are the temple of the living God (2 Cor. 6:16-17). 

·       But do take your stand, as a testimony to the fact of our living God.  Paul taught separation from a professing brother who is an idolater; but not from an unbeliever who is an idolater (1 Cor. 5:9-11).  Let us live the love and joy of the Christ-life before them, the life enabled by the living God!