Little Children, Keep Yourselves from Idols, part three

Having introduced the biblical warning that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of God (part 1) and having defined idolatry of the heart in order to expose our idols (part 2), I want finally to suggest how we are to replace the substitute gods of idolatry with the real God - Jesus Christ, our Lord.

How are we to replace the substitute gods of this world for the one, true and living God?

First, you must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! You need a new nature that only comes through God’s grace and faith in Christ (Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:1-21).   The only way to flee idolatry is to replace the idols of you heart with Jesus Christ, the only one who is worthy of praise and glory and honor.

Second, you must continue believing, trusting in Jesus Christ, our redeemer!

1.  Believe you are a new creature, raised to walk in newness of life (Col. 3:1; cf. Rom. 6). In other words, we must remember who we are in Christ instead of believing Satan’s lies that tempt us to despair.  You must speak the gospel to yourself daily, moment by moment.

2.  Let your mind be consumed with heavenly things (Col. 3:1-4). You must have a proper perspective, an eternal perspective.  You must be so heavenly minded in order to be of any earthly good.  So many times we are so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good.  Do not overvalue the things of this world.

3.  Put to death the earthly cravings for sin and evil that remain in you (Col. 3:5-11). We put to death the desires of the flesh by remembering who we are in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and looking to the Spirit in faith to guide us (Romans 8:13-14; Galatians 5:16-24).

4.  Put on the heavenly characteristics God is working in you now (Col. 3:12-15). This is the positive counterpart to putting to death the cravings of the flesh by faith.

5.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and encourage one another (Col. 3:16). The word of the gospel is the source of good news that reveals God and His faithfulness to all who believe.  This gospel word is the source of our hope, and we should encourage one another by speaking this gospel to one another regularly.

6.  Do everything in the name of Christ and for His glory (Col. 3:17). As you do something, ask, “Can I do this in the name of Christ?”  Ask, “Can I do this for the glory of Christ?”

Little children, keep yourselves from idols, for idolaters have no place in the kingdom of God!