2 Kings 17:15 – You Are What You Worship
You are what you eat, so they say. That must be true because I love doughnuts and I am soooo sweeeet!
Of course, some may argue that like a doughnut I have a hole in the middle of head too!
But seriously, we are what we worship. The following axiom has the power to challenge us, comfort us, frighten us or shame us – We Are What We Worship. We see this positively in 1 Peter 1:16 – …“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” The negative side is just as true – 2 Kings 17:5:
- (BBE) they gave themselves up to things without sense or value, and became foolish
- (CEV) They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
- (ESV) They went after false idols and became false
- (NASB) they followed vanity and became vain.
Challenge – To become more like Christ, to not only wear the name CHRISTian, but to live it. To actually allow people to see GODliness in my life.
Comfort – I know that if I truly follow Jesus, that becoming His disciple will inevitably cause me to be like Jesus.
Frighten – Am I becoming someone who God will reject because ultimately I have rejected Him? Could God accept someone like me into heaven who is not interested in becoming more like His Son?
Shame – Do I like who I am? Does my life mirror the world or Christ?
The writer of 2 Kings said that the Israelites become like what they followed – they followed empty, foolish idols and become empty, foolish people.
So…what are we?
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