“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Romans 1:22-25 NKJV
My sons are getting a little older and understanding money a little more, but not too long ago we had a disagreement during offering time. They would ask for money. If I was out of coins I would hand them a paper bill. Then the crying would start. “No, I want money.” If I could find a penny on the bottom of my purse they would have gladly exchanged it for a bill of any amount. This scripture brought that memory to my mind. The boys had no idea the value of what they were exchanging, although they were content to have something that made them happy at the moment.
The New Living Translation Bible translates verse 25 to say they “traded the truth of God for a lie.” What a grave mistake those men made. Trading a relationship with the Almighty for a moment with a tangible statue. How easy it is to say, “wow they need Jesus!” without truly looking at what we trade moments with God for. While in our American culture we don’t often see people carving out actual statues to worship, I myself admit to carving out time for something that had little eternal value. If I am truly honest with myself there are things that I make idols of in my life. Mere things that take time, effort and attention away from my relationship with he Almighty.
Lord, forgive me for exchanging any part of you with a temporary fix here on earth. Cleanse my heart of any wicked ways and draw me closer to you.
That Could Preach 