Liberation from Idolatry: Embracing Life through Love of God and Neighbor (01/31/'24)

Liberation from Idolatry: Embracing Life through Love of God and Neighbor In exploring the depths of human connection and the consequences of estrangement, both from our own selves and from the divine, we come to confront the fundamental question of idolatry's essence. Jesus Christ, in his teachings, poses a profound inquiry: what benefit does one reap by securing the entirety of worldly wealth, yet at the cost of their soul's forfeiture? He challenges us with the notion that nothing material or earthly can equate to the value of one's soul (Matthew 16:26). Furthermore, Christ delineates a paradoxical truth about life itself: those who seek to preserve their life by their means will ultimately lose it, whereas those who surrender their life for His sake will discover true life (Matthew 10:38-39). This principle underscores the idolatrous nature we often succumb to—prioritizing temporal, visible, or even invisible entities above or below us, over the eternal. Christ's sacrifice on the cross emerges as a pivotal act of liberation from the chains of idolatry, symbolizing the ultimate renunciation of all forms of idols—whether they be tangible or intangible, of the heavens or the earth. Through His crucifixion, Jesus not only confronted but expelled the spirit of idolatry, offering us freedom from the ensnarement of valuing anything more highly than our relationship with God. The preservation of human life, as seen through the lens of divine love, commences with the first commandment: to love God above all. This divine love mandates that we recognize the incomparable worth of the life and soul bestowed upon us by God, prompting a vigilant stance against elevating any idol to a place of undue importance. In essence, the journey toward safeguarding our soul begins with an unwavering commitment to love God and, by extension, to love our neighbor. This path, though marked by the potential for human suffering and the challenges of navigating relationships in a world fraught with distractions, ultimately leads us toward a fuller understanding and embodiment of God's will—where the true essence of life is found in the surrender to and love for the Divine. -Pastor Steven G. Lee (January 31, 2024)