THRIVE: The American Idolater

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Col. 3:5

If there is one thing I can say...is that we as Americans are so all about OURSELVES.   We are all about OUR rights, OUR causes, OUR beliefs....OUR, OUR, OUR and as believers there are certain aspects about us that need to be put to rest......eternal rest.   Paul here tells us that we need to put to death the carnal things or thinking in us....which all point to our bend towards fulfilling our selfish desires.   We as people, and as a culture are mass producers of Idols, and they are many.....guns, drugs, pleasure edifices, cars, homes, you name it...and we can make it an Idol...even a whole TV Show....and Paul says we should put such things to death.

He even turns a corner to say to us in all of our getting......that we aren't to be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world.   So my challenge to you is.....what is it that you Idolize?  What is it that you post about that tells the truth about the condition of your heart?

My prayer is that each one of you takes an honest look into the mirror, and even look at your timeline to see what is it, if anything, that you need to have a funeral about today?  Because in verses 6-7 it says Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.⁷ You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. ⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

So is this statement TOTALLY true about you...that you " used to do these things" or do you really still do them which is the very reason people don't go to want to go to your church, or find your Jesus, or your style of living attractive..........   I remember being a young college kid and gathering with some dear friends (all of which were either believers or new believers) to have a movie night.   We thought we could enjoy some old laughs....so we rented Eddie Murphy RAW because we all remember enjoying it so much in are younger years.   So we got some pizza, went to Blockbuster and rented only to put in the tape (yes I said tape VCR) only to find ourselves appalled at the vulgar content....to which led us to taking it back, only left wondering.....what changed......our hearts did.    He gave you His grace and this day for reason......let's DO WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE!  LGLP