Tag: idolatry

Foundational Triumph! From Treason to Trust. Part 3.

FIRST CONTINUATION, THEN CONCLUSION

First, Continuation of Paul’s letter to the Romans.

As I started out for my morning walk, I began to sing a chorus that I have not sung in many years.

The title of the chorus is I Live.

It was written by Rick Cook in 1976.

I encourage you to look up the title, and read the words.

In this chorus, Cook’s words epitomize what the Apostle Paul was writing about in his letter to the Romans found in Romans 8:1,2.

Simply, the chorus tells us that “we live” because of Christ’s resurrection; and that “we live with power over sin”.

Reflecting upon the words of this song, I realized I was singing the truth of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:1-2. (NKJV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

I am sure you have heard many times, that when you see a ‘therefore’, you need to find out what it’s ‘therefore’.

The ‘therefore’ is making the transition of thought of Paul’s teaching from Romans 6,7, explaining our position in Christ, to our triumph in Romans 8.

In Romans 6, Paul explains why we follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:13-17) in water baptism.

We are dead to sin and its power because of our identification in Christ’s death, through water baptism. (Romans 6:3)

Paul also teaches the new believer what it means to have been “buried with Him”, and what it means to be raised in “newness of life”. (Romans 6:4)

Paul instructs us, that because of our position in Christ, our identification in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, our mindset should be as follows:

“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” (Romans 6:11-12, NKJV)

In Romans chapter 7, Paul tells us about the struggle that goes on inside the life of a believer.

Yes, believers, struggle with the flesh, our former life, the one that was buried in water baptism.

In Romans 7, Paul explains his own personal struggle. (Romans 7:14-21)

He was not immune to the internal conflict between flesh and spirit within the believer.

At the end of Paul’s explanation about his personal struggle, he concludes Romans 7 with the following:

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members . O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:22-25, NKJV)

Welcome to the life of a believer.

This is why the ‘therefore’ is there in Romans 8:1.

Romans 8:1,2 explains the victory over sin within the heart of the believer; and the ongoing triumph of new life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beginning in Romans 1 and continuing through Romans 8, Paul has explained how to proceed from Treason To Truth, and live in Triumph!

What does that mean?

“The just shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)

Faith in what?

F.A.I.T.H. in the redemptive work of God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.

An acronym for F.A.I.T.H.

Following Adonai Is Trusting Him.

Returning our attention to idols and idolatry.

Let us consider Psalm 24.

Psalm 24 is a Psalm of David.

Psalm 24:3, asks two questions: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?” and “Or who may stand in His holy place?” (NKJV)

Psalm 24:4, answers these two questions.

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.” (NKJV)

We have been discussing idols and idolatry of the heart.

The Word of God explicitly tells us that idols are anathema to God.

The word anathema means “someone or something intensely disliked or loathed.” (merriam-webster.com)

Got Questions defines the word anathema, biblically, as “a person or thing that is deeply cursed, condemned, or devoted to destruction by God.”

God emphatically tells His people to separate themselves from idols, and to only seek Him.

Recently, I heard the following comment.

We are not to be giving our worship (devotion of our heart) to anyone or anything other than God. (paraphrased)

Why?

Idols destroy our lives spiritually.

Idols deceive our love for God.

God, our Father, wants our “unshared love”.

God’s Word teaches us that there is to be ‘no mixed-worship’.

God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-24)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Admonition spoken to the seven Church in Revelation 2,3)

God, our Father, has said this gently.

He has said this with commandment.

He has said this forcefully.

He does not ignore His people seeking after the worshiping of idols.

He has cried out against the worshiping of idols.

He has brought judgment upon His people because of their worship of idols.

What is the effect of idolatry in the Church?

The Church is to be a light in this world of darkness. (Matthew 5:14)

Any sin, including our personal idols, and/or idolatry of the heart is sin; and sin is darkness that weakens, even obliterates, the light.

I John 1:5-10 NKJV, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare unto you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But, if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Remember, the Apostle John is writing to believers, and in the context of his Epistle he concludes his instruction with these words, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (I John 5:21, NKJV)

Are we, the Church, immune to God’s judgment poured out on us because of idols and/or idolatry in our life?

Absolutely not!

But, in Christ, we will not experience the wrath of God because of Christ’s death on the cross.

But, we can experience the reality of God’s judgment.

Compare Deuteronomy 28 (Blessings on Obedience) and 29( Curses on Disobedience).

Study the history of Israel.

It is imperative that we confess our sins as we live our life before the Lord.

B.U.T. (Believers Understand This), 1 Peter 4:17:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins with us first, what will be the end those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (acronym, insert mine)

What is Peter saying?

Peter understands that each believer is a ‘house of God’, and that we, collectively, are God’s ‘spiritual house’ (I Peter 2:5).

Consider this, the judgment Peter is warning us about can be visualized as coming to us as an individual believer and/or the corporate community of the Church, the Body of Christ. (I Peter)

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, reflecting upon Jesus Christ as our High Priest, says the same thing in Hebrews 10:19-22, (NKJV).

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

What David said (Psalm 24:3-4) is true; however, in Christ, we have a better covenant and better promises secured by the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are not a believer in Christ, I encourage you, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to call out to Him, to ask Him to forgive you of your sin, and to receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior.

If you are a believer in Christ, how is your personal walk with the Lord?

Are you following Him?

Or, are you pursuing your own self-interests(idols) and/or idols of your heart?

Do you have mixed-worship in your life because of your idols?

What is the first thing David mentioned that disqualified a person from ascending the hill of the Lord, and standing in His holy place?

The person “who has not lifted up his soul to an idol”. (Psalms 24:4)

Idolatry is sin. Sin can be confessed, forgiven, forgotten by God, and removed from you “as far as the east is from the west”. (Psalm 103:12 NKJV)

Ask the Lord to search your heart and “see if there is any wicked way in me?” (Psalms 139:23-24)

Every human being is an eternal soul.

Our soul is who we are.

Every soul will either live eternally in heaven or hell.

What makes the difference?

Your personal relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6, NKJV)

Have you accepted Him as your Savior, or rejected Him?

John 3:18 NKJV, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

That is the message of the Gospel.

Answering truthfully to above questions is a matter of eternal life or death.

Do not take it lightly.

Romans 8 is our ‘spiritual promised land’.

________________

The Conclusion to this series of posts.

This series of posts began in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 1-3.

What God created, then inspected, He declared as good.

On the sixth day of creation, God created mankind, in His image and likeness.

At the conclusion of the sixth day, God looked over all of His creation, that He had made, and said that it was “very good”. (Genesis 1:31)

Into this created paradise, in which there was no sin, Satan came, and when his work was done, Adam and Eve, had transgressed God’s Word, sin had entered into their souls, their spirit died, and they hid from God.

Sin is the source of treason against God.

As we read in Romans 5, it was Adam’s disobedience that brought sin into the world and its consequences.

But, praise God, it was the Son of God, Jesus’ obedience that triumphed completely over mankind’s treason; and now we can live victoriously.

This is summed up in Romans 8:1,2.

What began in the Garden of Eden, created by God, and was tragically lost will be made new. It will not be a refurbished Garden of Eden. God is not returning His redeemed humanity back to the first garden. (boldness mine)

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. (boldness and italicized words are in the text) [new – ‘means in regard to form or quality’, notes from NKJV study Bible.]

Inwardly we are a new creation, but we are still in our original body.

But, one day, that will, too, be made new.

I Corinthians 15 is Paul’s theological treatise about the Gospel, the preaching of Christ risen from the dead, and the glorious hope of our new bodies, that concludes with the moment when we will all be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:53, says, “For this corruptible (earthly body) must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

God is making all things new.

We are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

To live eternally with the Lord, we will have a new immortal body.

There will also be, a new heaven and a new earth, in which God’s new humanity, in their new bodies, will live.

This is not far fetched.

This is where the history of mankind ends in the Book of the Revelation.

This was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 65:17 NKJV, says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people.” (boldness mine)

What robbed God, the Father, of His joy in the Garden of Eden, He, Himself has dealt with at the cross, and He is making all things new.

In Christ, we are a new creation. When Christ returns we will receive a new body. And, He is creating for us a new heaven and a new earth in which to live with Him eternally.

The Apostle John, the chosen writer for the Book of Revelation, tells us of this new creation in Revelation 21-22. (I encourage you to read Revelation 21-22).

The following passages are from Revelation 21-22, NKJV.

Revelation 21:1, 5-7,9-10,22-23; Revelation 22:1-5; 12-14.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no more sea…Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold,, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him that thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”…Then one of the seven angles who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying “Come I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God…And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life (remember the tree of life in Genesis 1-3), which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse (remember Genesis 1-3), but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever….And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed is he who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city.” (boldness mine)

Can you visualize the ending?

Read the last sentence again.

Reflect upon the scene in the Garden of Eden.

Remember what instruction God had told Adam and Eve.

Do not eat off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

They ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Their spirit died because their soul sinned against God.

Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

Rejoice, because of the coming of the Son of God, His death on the cross,His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension, we have been redeemed and reconciled to God the Father.

We can now return to God’s presence, in which there is a new garden, with the tree of life, and no more curse, because Christ became the curse for us on the cross. (Galatians 3:13)

What was lost in Genesis, we are told has all been made new in Revelation.

What began in a garden in Genesis resulting in the Tragedy of Treason ended in Revelation as a Triumph of Truth created in a new creation with a glorious garden of eternal Tranquility.

What God, the Father, had created ‘very good ‘in the beginning, He has created gloriously new, for all who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son.

This is our Foundational Truth! In Christ, we are redeemed from our Treason, and we now live in Trust.

Our trust is rooted in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7).

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (NKJV)

Rooted in Christ, a brother in Christ, deo

On May 29th, 2026, my wife Christine made this comment.

“It is not where I should be, but where I am at-that the Lord deals with me.”

The grace of God comes to where we are ‘at’, to change us and bring us to Himself.

Foundational Triumph! Treason to Trust. Part 2

“…His truth to triumph through us…”, Martin Luther, ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’, 1527-1529.

CONTINIUATION

I am assuming that you have read Part 1.

In the New Testament, Jesus addressed the topic of idols and idolatry of the heart in the Sermon on the Mount.

See Matthew 5:27-30; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:24.

Jesus also answered Satan explicitly about idols in the wilderness in Matthew 4:10 (context Matthew 4:1-11); and addressed the topic of idolatry with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:24 (context John 4:1-26).

Jesus’s position on idolatry is clearly stated.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ( NKJV John 4:23-24)

Q: Is the Church, the Body of Christ, the Ekklesia , the Bride of Christ worshiping the Father in spirit and truth?

Q: If the answer is questionable, then are idols and idolatry of the heart a real issue in the lives of followers of Jesus Christ?

The Apostle Paul warned the first century Churches about idols and idolatry of the the heart.

See I Corinthians 8, 10; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5-6.

The Apostle Peter addressed idolatry in 1 Peter 4:1-5.

The Apostle John poignantly addressed idolatry in 1 John 5:21.

That verse was part of the catalyst for teaching idols idols and idolatry of the heart.

1 John 5:21, NKJV, says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Q: As a follower of Jesus Christ, are there idols in your life?

Q: Do you struggle with idolatry in your heart?

This is what the Spirit of God is searching out today in the hearts of believers.

If we have idols in our life and/or idolatry in our heart, then we cannot worship God in spirit and truth.

Q: Are you bold enough to pray to following verses of scripture?

Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I encourage you to read Psalm 139.

Reflect personally upon what is written.

Replace your name for David’s name.

Respond to the Lord as He speaks directly to your heart.

_________________________

Note, for your own personal study of idols and idolatry of the heart, it is easy to Google these words. You will be shown many different sources of commentary and lists of Bible verses. Using Google is a short-cut. I understand that. However, remember to use discernment regarding references found on Google. Do not rely just on Google, use your own Study Bible, a concordance, or other personal references you may have in your library.

__________________________

At this time, I want to focus our attention on the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

The Book of Romans is a theological store house of truth.

I am not a theologian.

I am asking that you bear with me, and allow me to use ‘vocabulary’ I have used in previous posts and interject those words and thoughts into the teaching of Romans.

_____________________________

I propose that the Apostle Paul outlines for us the doctrine of going from ‘Treason to Triumph’ between Romans 1:1 -Romans 8:39.

I submit that Romans 8:1,2 summarizes for us what transpired at the cross defeating “cosmic treason” (R.C.Sproul).

Christ’s resurrection, and subsequent ascension validates the complete ‘triumph’ over the ‘doctrine of original sin’; satisfying the wrath of God (Romans 5:9; I Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9); providing eternal salvation for as many as “call upon the name of the Lord”.

Romans 10:11-13, NKJV, ” For the Scripture says, “Whosoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “

Romans 8:1-2, NKJV, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” [both the italicized emphasis and boldness are printed in the text of the NKJV Bible.]

In the NKJV Study Bible: WORD WEALTH 8:2 made free, eleutheroo (el-yoo-ther-ah-oh); Strong’s #1659. To liberate, acquit, set free, deliver. In the NT the word is used exclusively for Jesus’ setting believers at liberty from the dominion of sin.” (page 1561, Spirit Filled Life Bible, 2002)

Therefore, as a believer in Christ Jesus, we are ‘eleutheroo’ (made free) from the consequences and the condemnation of sin, which is controlled by the law of sin and death; but now, because of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, we are eternally grateful for the grace of God, we are alive in Christ Jesus, governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God.

Selah.

Chapters 1,2,3 of Romans, Paul outlines the consequences of mankind’s “cosmic treason” disobeying God; and Paul argues in opposition to mankind’s attempt to justify their position, logically refuting each excuse of not knowing God.

Paul also dramatically warns of the consequences of “seeing God”, yet “ignoring the truth”; “…because, although they knew God, they did not glory Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile (made empty, vain, useless, confused) in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”(Romans 1:21, NKJV) {emphasis-text} (insert mine)

The consequences of mankind’s futility of thought is… “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Paul concludes Romans 3, declaring that mankind is “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [boldness in text] Romans 3:24 NKJV.

In Romans 4, Paul outlines what it means to be ‘justified by faith’.

Roman 4, shares the historical account of Abraham who is Israel’s patriarchal father.

Paul, writes, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, NKJV)

Abraham walked by faith. See Hebrews 11:8-12.

As Paul continues his Epistle to the Church at Rome, he summarizes Chapters 1-4 with this statement in Romans 5:1, NKJV, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul explains how a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has been transformed from ‘treason to triumph’.

For a believer to live in triumph is realized by living in trust.

Hence, the title of the post.

Foundational Triumph! From Treason to Trust.

Trust is faith.

WORD WEALTH [Mark] 11:22, faith, pistis (pis-tis) Strong’s #4102, Conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. In the NT setting, pistis is the divinely implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance in God and all that He says. The word sometimes denotes the object or content of belief. Act 6:7; 14:22; Gal. 1:23.) [insert mine]

I share the following acronym: F.A.I.T.H.

Following Adonai I Trust Him

Note: The word Adonai is a Hebrew transliteration of the word for the unspeakable NAME of God. It is used in the Tree of Life Bible, that has a Hebraic emphasis. (The Holy Bible, Tree of Life Version, 2015 by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.)

Summarizing, Romans 1,2,3 reveals the treason of mankind, and its universal consequences.

Romans 4 explains the trust of faith.

Romans 5 focuses on understanding our position of triumph as a result of our trust of faith.

Paraphrasing Romans 5:1-5, we have been justified (justification-work of the cross); we are given access by faith into the grace in which we stand; we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God; we learn to glory in our trials and tribulations; why? because of the work of sanctification (way of the cross) in our life; all of this working in our life is for strengthening our hope; and this hope will not disappoint us; why? because (the fruit of the work of the cross is agape) the love of God is being poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

[This paragraph my personal paraphrased understanding of Romans 5:1-5]

Continuing in Romans 5:6-21, Paul outlines what Adam did that resulted in “cosmic treason”; and what God, the Father did, through Christ, His Son, to turn “cosmic treason” into ‘triumph’.

Quoting verses 6-11, Paul writes, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own (agape) love toward us, in that while we yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His (Christ’s) blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him(Christ). For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Christ), much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His(Christ) life(resurrection). And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through Our Lord Jesus Christ(The Ascended Christ, Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1) through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (boldness and inserts mine)

This is the message of the Gospel.

The Gospel necessitates Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

Christ’s death is the ‘finished work’ of the cross. (John 19:30, NKJV)

Verses 6-11 pictures the substitutionary atonement of Jesus (Son of God/Son of Man) who died as the Lamb for God for the sin of the world. (Romans 6:23)

(see Got Questions: What is the substitutionary atonement?)

Continuing in Romans 5:12-21, Paul compares the disobedience of Adam to the obedience of Christ.

Adam’s disobedience resulted in the “the law of sin and death”.

Christ’s obedience resulted in “the law of the Spirit of life” in Christ Jesus.

The fruit of Adam’s sin is ‘control and condemnation’, self-control of your life.

The fruit of Christ’s obedience is living your life centered in Christ, governed by grace, guided by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, “…so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21b, NKJV)

In this we rejoice with a grateful heart to God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.

Let us read the text.

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned–(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) [That is a mouthful to digest] Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [insert mine]

End of Part 2.

to be concluded in Part 3.

a brother in Christ, deo

Foundational Triumph! Treason To Trust. Part 1

INTRODUCTION

As I begin this post, it is necessary to make a statement regarding ‘getting back on track’ with a series of posts that began May 5, 2026 and came to a halt the first week of July.

I needed a break.

Let me rehearse what was written.

The recent teaching series began in May with the post Foundational Thoughts. It continued with the following: Foundational Truth; next Habakkuk’s Headlines-The Just Shall Live by Faith (an interjection of a previous post); then Foundational Treason, Parts 1,2,3; and finally, Foundational Teaching (the interjection of a study of Deuteronomy 8 highlighting the idolatry of the heart in Israel, July 1.)

All of these posts were written to awaken followers of Christ to hear what the ‘Spirit is saying to the Church’ in this hour.

It has been a month of silence since I started this post, Foundational Triumph! Treason to Trust.

In previous posts, parts of an article written by Peter Nittler were shared.

He acknowledged that in his own life ‘words’ had become an idol.

He realized this truth because of his personal habit of beginning his day “plugging myself into the news machine” and in doing so, it set his ‘mood’ for the day.

The ‘words’ that the news experts were espousing were “telling me how to think and feel about” the headline news.

In his article he wrote the following, that in light of Dwight Foster Wallace’s quote, who is not a Christian, said, “Because there’s no such thing as NOT worshipping, everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”

Nittler recognized that he worshiped the news.

I personally believe that many people Christian and non-christian worship the news.

At the close of his article, Nittler says, “And if the things we worship remake us in their image, how does worshipping the news eat us alive? It will convince us of our rightness, train us on anxiety, addict us to outrage, make us bored when things get quiet, and produce a slight glee when our enemies stumble.”

Q: Have you experienced any of these types of reactions?

Consider the truth of Nittler’s insight, that what “we worship make us in their image”.

Q: Is that true or false?

A. I believe it is true.

Therefore, as we focus on the Lord, and worship Him, who is our God, we are being made into His image.

What does God’s Word say about ‘idols’?

A lot.

END OF INTRODUCTION

The Spirit of God has been searching the hearts of believers.

The Holy Spirit has been asking the followers of Christ to examine their hearts to see if there are any idols in their lives and/or if they have idolatry in their heart.

Where does this inquiry take us?

Do I have, do you have, does the Church have anything in their life more precious to them than God alone?

Throughout the entirety of Scripture, God’s people have wrestled with idols in their midst, and succumbed to worshiping those idols, and struggling with idolatry in their hearts.

God’s people have believed that they could live as a covenantal people with God and worship the idols of the nations in which they lived.

That was not only true of the nation of Israel ,then; but is also true of the Church, now

Strong words, but true.

God’s Word says emphatically, NO!, to this type of living arrangement.

There will be ‘no mixed worship’.

If there is any ‘mixed worship’, then you cannot have an ‘unshared love’ for God and God alone.

This is what the Spirit of God is speaking and sharing with followers of Christ in this hour.

The bumper sticker, ‘coexist’ is anathema to Christianity.

The Word of God is replete with God dealing with His people about idolatry.

God used the prophets to confront His covenant people about the dangers of worshiping idols because these idols will turn their hearts to be unfaithful to Him. (Isaiah 44:6-48).

Q: What are the opening words of the 10 commandments?

Exodus 20: 1-6.

Q: Please turn to Exodus 32 and read the account of God, Moses, Israel, and Israel’s ‘golden calf’.

(Note: it is very easy to research the Biblical discussion of idols and idolatry of the heart. Just Google the words; you will find many sources. Choose your sources wisely.)

The Psalms speaks of the harm and foolishness of idols, and idolatry.

Psalm 81; Psalm 115; Psalm 118.

Proverbs address one’s ‘heart of idolatry’, which is a picture of spiritual unfaithfulness; as it relates to an adulterous woman.

“It also warns of trusting in wealth, human pride, and deceptive paths” (www.crossway.org-10 Key Bible verses on Idolatry)

The seriousness of this is that God addressed His people as an adulterous nation through the mouths of his prophets.

Jeremiah 2:23-5:19-Israel, an Unfaithful Wife.(www.biblegateway.com)

Q: What is God’s heart for His people?

A. He loves them greatly. He is a ‘jealous God’ over His people.

Exodus 34:14; Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:9; Deuteronomy 6:15.

Q: What does the Song of Solomon reveal to us about God’s love for mankind?

Q: What does the Book of Haggai explain to us about the depth of God’s heartfelt cry of love for His people?

I commend to you the reading of the Book of Haggai.

Q: Does God love His people any less today?

A. Absolutely NOT!

The ultimate manifestation of the love of God for humanity is not hidden.

It is completely on display at the cross.

“For God-so loved-the world-that He have-His only Begotten Son-that whosoever believes in Him- should not perish-but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, NKJV) [hyphenated emphasis mine]

John 3:16 was spoken by the Son of God/ Son of Man, Himself, Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah.

See John 3:1-21, for context.

The ultimate expression of God’s love for mankind, is Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who came to sacrificially give His life on the cross as an Atonement for humanity’s treason against God.

This is the G.O.S.P.E.L. of Jesus Christ.

God’s Only Son Purchased Eternal Life

END OF PART 1.

tbc: Foundational Triumph! Treason To Trust. Part 2

your brother in Christ, deo

Foundational Treason! Part 3

Foundational Treason Part 2, began with a quote spoken by David Foster Wallace who said, in reality there is no such thing as Atheism because everybody worships something. (paraphrase)

I believe that is true; do you?

Wallace concluded, “The only choice we get is what to worship.” (emphasis mine)

Q: ‘What’ do you worship?

John 4:1-26, records a verbal discourse between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well at mid-day.

Near the conclusion of their conversation, Jesus says (vs.21-24), “…Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither worship on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But* the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (NKJV) (emphasis mine) [italicized mine]

Jesus made it clear Who is to be worshipped, God, the Father.

Q: *BUT do followers of the Lord Jesus Christ worship God, the Father, “in spirit and truth”?

If there is an idol (a what) in your life, a literal, hand made object; or an idol of the heart, then that prevents you from worshipping God “in spirit and truth”.

Why?

Because worshipping an idol represents the sin of treason against God. (See Foundational Treason! Part 1.)

As a Christian, I can worship God in spirit because I am born again by the Spirit of God; but I cannot at the same time worship God in truth if I have an idol or an idol of the heart.

At the conclusion of the previous post, the following statement was made. (Foundational Treason! Part 2)

God, the Father, is seeking your ‘unshared love’.

Q: What does that mean?

In order to worship God “in spirit and truth,” there cannot be any other gods (idols)in your life that you are ‘seeking’, ‘desiring’, ‘coveting’, ‘pursuing’, or ‘worshipping’.

As a Christian, any attention given to an idol is sharing your love and affection between that idol and God.

Why?

Because, idols are other ‘gods’.

Remember Satan’s words of Adam and Eve, “you shall be like God”, and because of their treason against God, mankind has become their own god, a , self-god , independent of God. (Genesis 3)

Peter Nittler, a Christian, realized that he ‘worshipped’ words first thing in the morning.

He said that habit in his life set a mood and tone for him as he began his day.

Q: Do you have a habit that sets the mood and tone for your day?

Q: Is that habit good or bad for how you start your day?

Having a routine to start your day is not necessarily bad.

The question is, what is your routine centered on?

Q: Is God, the Father; God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; God the Holy Spirit setting the mood and tone for your day?

Q: Or, do you have idols in your life that set the mood and tone for your day?

Referencing Tim Keller again, I recently heard part of a sermon in which he was talking about idols in the lives of Christians. (emphasis mine)

He called them ‘conservative idols’.

[Personal thought: Interesting choice of words, I did not hear any explanation why he referred to them as ‘conservative.’]

The first was money [wealth]; the second was women; and the third was work. (Insert mine for alliteration)

Sunday morning, June 7, 2026, Dr. Gifford,* was sharing from Ephesians 2:1-3:10 at North Creek Church**. (Bibliography)

Dr. Gifford alluded to the same point that Tim Keller made.

Dr Gifford taught that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can pursue goals in their lives that are in reality idols because they desire “possessions, accomplishments, pleasures, events, etc to edify themselves.” (emphasis mine)

[Personal thought-those words all sound ‘conservative’ to me.]

Pastor Keller taught that believers ‘share’ their love for money (wealth), women, work, with God.

That implies that they do not have an ‘unshared love’ for God, alone.

God doesn’t say you cannot be rich; but His word does warn us about the deceitfulness of riches. (Matthew 13:22; I Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24)

God’s word encourages us to have a fulfilled marriage relationship-one man, one woman; but ‘having a perfect marriage’ can be idolatrous.

John Piper says that if our “affection and time serving or focusing on our spouse diminishes our time spent with our community, personal growth, or spiritual life, then it can be idolatrous.” (See Desiring God, Has Marriage Become My Idol? September 1, 2017)

God has a work for each of us to do(Ephesians 2:10); but are we pursuing the work, that God called has called us to do; or are we working our way up the corporate ladder at all costs.

John Piper comments that, “Your work has become idolatry when it is the root and not the fruit of your acceptance.” (See Desiring God, “When Has My Career Become My Idol?, November 4, 2019)

Can you visualize the intersection of money (wealth), women, and work converging to create one large idol that controls your life? (insert alliteration)

To maintain such a lifestyle will require us to focus upon ourselves so that we ‘look good’, ‘feel good’, ‘be right’, ‘stay in control’, seek personal gain’, have a hidden agenda, ‘be uncaring of other’s needs- living totally independent apart from God. ( The Agape Road: Journey to Intimacy with the Father, by Bob Mumford, 2006)

Q: What is the source of that lifestyle?

We are focused on ‘self’. (See Mark 8:36; Luke 12:16-21; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 16:19-31).

As a Christian , God is present in your life; but you cannot worship Him in ‘spirit and truth’ if you share your love between idols and God.

It will not work!

Why?

Our God is a Jealous God.

Exodus 34:14 , NKJV (context Exodus 34:1-17)

“(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.)

__________________________________

Why is God jealous? Because of His LOVE for His people (all humanity)

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV, context John 3:1-21)

__________________________________

Adding to Tim Keller’s three ‘idol‘ words; I add Nittler’s’ ‘idol‘, ‘words’.

We now have four ‘idols’.

Wealth, women, work, words.

This is not an all inclusive list; but they represent the problem.

Q: Are any of these ‘idols’ present in your life?

Referring back to Nittler’s idol of ‘words’, his physical idol was his cell phone.

It is not true that the cell phone has become an ‘idol’ of humanity?

At the beginning of the New Year, 2026, Pastor Kent at NCC** continued teaching from the Book of Isaiah.

In Isaiah 42, God speaks to His people regarding their idols.

For several sermons, Pastor Kent talked about idols in the lives of humanity, especially Christians.

One of the idols he brought to the attention of the congregation was ‘cell phones’.

I have found it interesting that since January, how many other writers, ministers, and teachers, I have have heard or read addressing the topic of idols in the lives of Christians.

Cell phones and computer hardware have become idols in the lives of believers and non-believers.

They represent a ‘what do we worship’ just like David Foster Wallace said in his Commencement Address in 2005.

Studies have shown how detrimental being obsessed with a ‘cell phone’ can be in your life.

Pastor Kent strongly challenged the congregation regarding the use of their cell phone.

Q: Are the words you read and hear on your electronic devices more important to you than the Word of God?

Q:As a believer in Jesus Christ, do you spend more time with your electronic devices than you do with God?

If you answer either or both questions in the affirmative, then you do not have an ‘unshared love’ for God, alone.

Q: Are you willing to practically and prayerfully examine your relationship to your cell phone?

Sounds awkward right? but necessary!

What do I mean?

Nittler understood that his cell phone was a personal idol in his life.

Q: Is the cell phone a personal idol in your life?

Q: Are you willing to confront the possibility that you, as a Christian, have an idol, or idols in your life; therefore, you do not have an ‘unshared love’ for God alone.

Remember, God is a jealous God.

In reality, your ‘cell phone’ may not be a ‘what’ in your life at all.

I have had to come to grips with idolatry in my own life.

I realized that the ‘cell phone’ did dominate my attention; therefore I curtailed its usage.

Many years ago, golf was an idol of my heart.

I am thankful that the Lord removed that idolatry from my heart.

__________________________________

Here is where the ‘rubber meets the road’.

Nittler says in his short article, “You might bristle at the idea that you worship the news. Me too. But read that first paragraph again (Wallace’s quote) again. I’m giving the news the best part of my day, the keys to my hope, and letting it tell me what is true, right, and beautiful. At a certain point, you gotta call a spade a spade. I’m not just consuming the news; I’m bringing myself to its altar.”

Nittler is being transparent.

He recognizes that his cell phone is his idol.

Where did Nittler say his day began?

Using his cell phone, Nittler said,”I am not just consuming the news; I’m bringing myself to its altar.”

Nittler, is worshipping at another altar; therefore, he cannot worship God in ‘spirit and truth’.

Very strong words.

Stop and ponder this truth.

Nittler is saying that he is controlled by the news, and seeking its headlines before he thinks about coming to God in the morning.

Q: Is there an idol, or an idolatrous habit that is controlling your life?

You may not personally have a ‘cell phone altar’ but ‘what’ altar do you present yourself to, before you seek the presence of God, or even consider seeking God’s presence?

If you are a Christian, I strongly encourage you to consider these acronyms for the word I.D.O.L(s):

  1. Idols Deceive Our Lives .
  2. Idols Destroy Our Lives
  3. Idolatry Destroys Our Life Spiritually.

What many are experiencing with their ‘cell phone’ is just the tip of the ice berg regarding the impact that personal idolatry is having on the life of a Christian; a husband and/ or wife; a father and/or mother in their family; and as a member of the Body of Christ.

Why?

Because you cannot worship God in ‘spirit and truth’ with an ‘unshared love’.

If you are worshipping your idol and at the same time seeking to worship God, that is called ‘mixed worship’.

_______________________________________

Remember, God is a jealous God.

The reality is, whether we consciously know it or not, the world watches the Church.

People in the world watch the people of God.

Non-believers watch believers.

Christians in the Church watch other Christians in the Church.

Q: What does your lifestyle tell another about your relationship to God, the Father?

The people in your life know whether or not the Lord Jesus Christ is your first love, or if you have a ‘shared love‘ in your life.

If you are married and have a family, ask your wife and your children, they will tell you what’s true.

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, if you have an idol in your life, then you are sharing your love with that idol and with God.

That is called ‘mixed worship’.

Remember Tim Keller’s three conservative idols–wealth, women, and work, and Peter Nittler’s personal idol-words?

Idols are not new; there have been idols throughout the history of mankind.

Q: What did the Apostle Paul tell the Corinthian Church?

Read II Corinthians 6:14-18.

I wonder, if the Church at Ephesus, had idols? (Revelation 2:1-7)

Why do I ask that question?

Jesus said that they had ‘left their first love’.

This sounds like to me that they were sharing their love between something else(idol) and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was to be their first love.

Q: Is Jesus your first love?

The Church in Ephesus didn’t have ‘cell phones’ so it had to be something else.

At the end of each of the seven letters to seven Churches in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2,3) the following statement is made:

“He who has a ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

I encourage you to stop; seek the Lord; ask Him to search your heart, and see if there be any wicked way in you? (Psalm 139:24, context Psalm 139)

God is gracious.

His mercies are renewed every morning.

He loves you more than you really comprehend.

He is a loving heavenly Father that delights in you.

God, the Father wants you to mature as His child.

God asks you to repent and turn away from the sin that so easily besets you.

God desires for you to be changed from ‘glory to glory’ into the image of His Son.

God is saying to you, come to Me, just as you are, and I will be your Father, and you will be My son/My daughter.

God loves you very much.

Seek the Lord while He may be found….

blessings, your brother in Christ, deo

[Bibliography: * Dr. Gifford, Associate Pastor, at Faith Community Church, Santa Clarita, CA; **NCC- North Creek Church, Walnut Creek, CA.]