Today’s Thought “Proliferating Mediocrity” G. Ward

 

“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:22-25

 

 

It was that candle growing up that carried tremendous significance. It was a three inch glass cylinder, standing 12 to 16 inches, filled with white wax and beautiful religious graphics on the entirety. They were mostly purchased at what was in those days, “the dime store.” Most parents would burn them in accordance to what they needed; mainly a financial blessing. The illumination was captivating and the aroma was pleasantly effervescent. The writing on each side would often indicate that a financial blessing was eminent. It was prompted by a bible passage so why wouldn’t this be true? Seemingly foundational, particularly in view of its inscription being “straight from the word,” what then could be the harm?

The harm is our distortion of scripture that perpetuates idolatry. We haven’t learned how to be content in every circumstance (Php.4:11-13), therefore we treat Holy God as if He were a genie in a bottle granting us three wishes because we bit off more than we could chew! My charismatic friends are now mad with me because their expression of God echoes a de-contextualized reciting of “God will give you the desires of your heart” and “He doesn’t want you poor.” Please note the correct usage in His giving you the desires of your heart only occurs when your will is obliterated and His matters entirely (cf. Lk.22:42). Moreover, if as many or more Believers throughout the world (cf. Jn.3:16) are worshipping Him while living in abject poverty (satisfied with clean drinking water), what in the world are you talking about?

Happy Wednesday!