“So this is what I say about eating meat [sacrified to idols]:
We know that an idol is really nothing in the world,
and we know that there is only one God. It’s really not important
if there are things called gods in heaven or on earth – and there are many
of these ‘gods’ and ‘lords’ out there”
(1 Corinthians 8:4-5).
An idol represented a diety that supposedly lived in heaven and from time to time visited earth. The pagans believed in imaginations they called gods. They were representations of things from heaven and earth, such as the sun, moon, stars, fire, water, earth, animals, and birds, as well as mythological beings, such as Apollo, Jupiter, and Venus.
In addition, the Roman emperors declared themselves gods, raised statues of themselves, and then persecuted to martyrdom those Christians who did not worship them. Paul claims that the idol is nothing – it represents a god that does not exist. Nothing lacks life, and consequently lacks spiritual power.
The idol is made of wood, stone, or metal, and means nothing, whether on heaven or earth. The word “idol” refers not only to the image, but to the god ot is supposed to represent. The belief that various deitied dwell in man-made idols is only a fantasy of their worshipers. Some idols were false, other were manifestations of demons. Whether imaginations of mythology or human vainglory, they are nothing… nothing at all. They deserve neither adoration nor trust, nor dependence.
How “pagan” our way of life is. We too can have idols. Things we hold in high regard, almost at the level of veneration, they can be certain consumer goods, certain political or cultural figures, musicians, or athletes. They may be certain ideas, concepts, or practices that we idolized. We could be building our own idols to be worshiped.
Worshiping idols is both foolish and a sin. It is a sin, because no image can capture or represent God; He is not represented by idols. And it is also sin because the comandment itself expressly asks us not to make or worship images of anything.
“It is a solemn, fearful time. There is no time now for cherishing idols,
no place for concord with Belial of friendship with the world.
Those whom God accepts and sanctifies to Himself are called
to be diligent and faithful in His service, being set apart
and devoted to Him” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 168).
Like Luther, we should ask for forgiveness “because we have gone
from faith to disbelief and worship of idolatry.”
May our prayer be:
“Lord, help me to leave all my idols,
to be diligent, faithful, set apart, and dedicated.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.”
God bless you…