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By: Pastor Dennis Dodson
Vice President/ Treasurer
Seeds of Faith, Inc., A Non-Profit Ministry
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”
In Genesis 31, Jacob fled from his father-in-law Laban. He did not know
that Rachel had stolen her father’s family idols. Laban came and searched but did
not find the idols. Rachel had hidden them away. If Jacob was going to have a
relationship with Jehovah, the One True God, there could not be any idols or idol
worship involved. The same goes for us, at some point you will have to put away
all the idols you worship, or they will be a stumbling block in your relationship
with Christ.
Most of us would quickly declare that we don’t worship any idols, but a
quick examination might prove different. If you dissect our checkbooks and see
what consumes most of our money, you might find some extravagant things that
we could do without giving to the Lord instead. If you look at our calendars you
might find some activities that require large amounts of our time but are no profit
for the kingdom. Some are searching for power, acceptance, fame, or maybe
peace at any cost. All these things can become idols. I ask you not to examine your
neighbor, but to examine yourself prayerfully.
For Jacob, this time of examination was in Genesis 35. He was commanded
to go to Bethel, where he began, and build an altar. Jacob gathers his household
and tells them to put away the strange gods that are among them, be clean, and
change their garments (Genesis 35:2). They needed to prepare to go to God’s
house (the meaning of Bethel). They needed to cleanse themselves, put on new
clothes, and leave all the idols behind.
This is a picture of salvation. We are cleaned by the purifying work of the
Holy Spirit, given a robe of righteousness to wear, and the idols should have no
place in our lives any longer. I ask, are you ready to let go of those things that
hinder your walk, or will you try to carry them into the house of God? It’s time to
choose who you will serve.
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