The Law of God Miscellanies (7)

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20.4-6

Reflect and discuss.
1.  What is an idol? Why do people look to idols? What does an idol represent?

2.  Is it possible to have an idol in your life and not even know it? Explain.

Think about it.
Every worldview focuses on unseen things, hoped-for realities which do not presently exist, at least, not to the extent they are desired, and for the securing of which one invests all his interest and bends all his exertions. Every human being lives for unseen realities – things or circumstances not yet possessed but earnestly desired and daily pursued.

For Christians, those realities are spiritual – God and Christ, the Spirit and salvation, the City to Come, the promises of God.

For nonbelievers, while the things they hope for are not yet seen, they may already possess some of what they hope for above all else – wealth, leisure, material possessions, fame – but they envision themselves possessing even more, and they hope that will one day be the case.

A person’s vision is a likeness of some hoped-for condition or possession which resonates with the entirety of that person’s mind, heart, and conscience. To the extent that such vision – such a likeness – is populated with created things, it amounts to a pantheon of idols. 

For whatever a person envisions, commands the imagination and is what that person will desire; and what people desire is what they love. What people love they submit to and obey, that they might thereby possess the thing they desire. This desire to possess the hoped-for thing or condition thus possesses them and determines the course they will take in life. People thus make themselves servants of a likeness of their own creation, rather than God, Who reveals Himself in His Word. Such people are practicing idolatry.

This is why it is so important that we discipline ourselves to know the Lord, to fear and love Him, prefer His Word and ways, and yield ourselves and all our possessions and circumstances to Him. The likeness that rules our lives must be the pure gold of the exalted Christ and His Kingdom and salvation. He must be our vision, filling our minds with wonder and curiosity, our hearts with delight and joy, and our consciences with a firm resolution to seek Him exclusively and all the more. 

With Christ as our vision, rather than created things or optimal circumstances, we may expect to realize full and abundant life, as He promised (Jn. 10.10; 14.6).

But the Lord will surely frustrate our hope for peace, fulfillment, joy, and security if we place it anywhere but in Him. He will certainly discipline those who believe in Him until we destroy every image and likeness but His own as the commanding vision of our lives (Heb. 12.1-11).

They who pursue idols become like the vision they desire and love. Love God. Desire Jesus. Rest all your vision and hope in Him, and He will give you full and abundant, eternal life.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Read Romans 1.18-32. Why do people not recognize God as He reveals Himself to them? Why do they prefer idols, of their own construction, to God?

2.  Is it possible for Christians to be idolaters? Explain. How would you know if that was beginning to be the case with you?

3.  What can we do to make sure that Jesus Christ and His Kingdom and salvation are the commanding vision of our lives?

“You should realize that you are walking on the edge of a sharp sword, that you are standing on the edge of a precipice with a ravine on either side. Do not let your thoughts be upset by things here on earth, but keep your mind’s gaze on ‘Jerusalem which is above.’ ‘Think of what is above, and not of what is on earth.’ Ensure that you let go of everything which belongs to this world.” Babai (early 6^thcentury AD)

Lord, let there be no idols in my life. Instead, help me to…

Pray Psalm 115.1-8
Let the Spirit reveal any idols lurking or emerging in your soul.

Psalm 115.1-8 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Idols made by men’s own hand – ever to Your Name be glory – 

See nor hear nor understand – ever to Your Name be glory!
They neither feel nor walk, nor can they speak or talk;
All those who serve them fall. But unto Your Name be glory!

 T. M. Moore

This week’s study is Part 1 of a 3-part series on The Law of God Miscellanies. Download a free PDF version of this week’s study by clicking here.

For more insight to the Law of God and its role in the life of faith, order the book The Ground for Christian Ethics  by clicking here. If you’d like a free copy of our Kingdom Catechism, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and request it.

Not yet a subscriber to our Crosfigell teaching letter? You’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.