The Reformed Witness
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of Knowledge: But fools despise Wisdom and Instruction"
Proverbs 1:7

APOSTASY    “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods” 

Nov-Dec 2000
Page 3 of 4
back to page 2    [ page 1 ]
 

NOTHING IN HEAVEN, EARTH, OR WATER

If we remain simplistic about the next section of Exodus 20:4, we would conclude that there ought to be no statues of any heavenly forms, earthly forms, or forms of the sea. Yet, this would lead us to conclude that we should make no statues of man, nor beast, nor fish. If we took this commandment literally all statues, portraits, drawings, and paintings of any kind would be in violation of the Second Commandment.

While we must agree that there should be no image of God in our worship or in our devotion, we should not conclude that God is forbidding any sculpture or painting of anything in the creation at all. God speaks here in parabolic language. The heavenly image forbidden against is a form of Godliness.

The Apostle condemns those who have a form but not the power ( lit. virtue, might, power, strength) cf. 2Timothy 3:5

Here Paul is stating that there are those who have a myriad of forms, philosophies, and heavenly traditions, yet they lack the authority of Heaven itself. Whenever, we elevate a spiritual tradition, church creed, or confession, that seems very Biblical, above the Scriptures themselves, we have made a graven image of heaven, without the power and authority. Creeds, confessions, traditions and ordinances, no matter how accurate or sacred they may be, are still fallible and subject to error. Nothing should be elevated above God’s perfect Word.

The same principle of interpretation holds true for the other types of graven images. Practically speaking, earthly images point to those confidences and philosophies that receive their basis and authority from secular humanism and the wisdom of carnal men.

Exodus 20:4 further mentions, in the water under the earth.” ‘God is now focusing upon water, as it is under the earth. We know that the earth represent carnality and the nature of man. Man was made from the dust of the earth. James relates carnality and sensuality with earthly. But water identifies both Christ and the Gospel. When we see the two phrases used together, in the water under the earth, we can know that God is referring to His people who have the water of the Gospel of life, but are still in the body of sinful flesh. Therefore, when God warns against making a graven image of anything “in the water, which is under the earth” He is warning against the elevation of any child of God. Simply put, God is warning against following men no matter how Godly or pious they may be.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

(1 Corinthians 1:12-13 AV)

 

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

(1 Corinthians 3:4-5 AV)

There is a very strong tendency to follow men who preach with conviction and boldness from the pulpit. Paul, the Apostle knew this, experienced this, and warned against it. Many today seek to expound the Scriptures in order to gain the pre-eminence. This is sinful and clearly warned against in the Scriptures.


  

conclusion...

THE GOOD OPINIONS OF 
SELF DECEIVERS

The soul of the deceived judges itself through a series of corrupt measures. Instead of agreeing that “there is not a man upon the earth, (including himself), that sinneth not”, he refuses to honestly look at himself in light of a perfect and Holy Law. If he did, he himself would cry out along with Isaiah. “Woe is me, I am undone!”.

If the soul is honest and without the guile of deceit, he would assess his natural righteousness as filthy rags and declare himself “Vile!” and “unclean!”. By use of his own perspective the deceived soul weighs himself in the balance and declares, “ I thank God I am not like other men! Especially those sinners out there!” This self exalting attitude is an express token of sinful reprobation and a soul bent upon the worship of self. In a word, it is IDOLATRY.

In reality, there is little difference between the soul that sins openly and profanely and the soul that sins secretly, in hypocrisy ,in the eyes of God. In fact, there is much Biblical implication that the hypocrite sins more grievously by adding the sin of fraud and deception to its list of rebellion.

IDOLATRY’S PROGRESSION

According to Exodus 20:3-5, idolatry progresses in a very definite fashion. The Commandment which God sets forth to lead the list of the other nine sets the stage for the progression. If the First Commandment is violated, then it follows that all the other Commandments will be subject to violation.

Verse 4 warns against making “graven images”. The word for graven image signifies anything that is given shape or form. A graven image, therefore, would be something that is “substantive.” Although formulated philosophies are not statues per se, they no less take shape in reality and become followed standards. Ideas, notions, and traditions all fall into the category of “graven images” when they are applied to real life. Once introduced into society they quickly become the rules and regulations of that society and often are established as the “hope” and “confidence” of man. If these “philosophical hopes”, however, are not God-based and God-centered, they are vain institutions and idolatrous inventions. It is precisely these godless ideas that have corrupted the social order of the family, church and the nation.

When Jesus warned against serving “mammon” He used the word, mammonas. Interestingly, the word Jesus chose is of Aramaic origin, meaning confidence. The Lord is not singling out our “money” or “wealth” per se, but rather through use of the word mammon, He personifies wealth to include any and all confidence that usurps our trust in God, alone.

 


 

 

 

 

www.HisGlory.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  01/19/02