“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)*
What is an idol? You have probably heard about them in missionary stories, and you’ve read about them in the Bible. An idol is a piece of wood or stone shaped like a person or an animal, and people worship it. Right?
That is one kind of idol. But there are other kinds, too. An idol is anything that we love more than God. An idol could be a person, an object, a hobby, a goal, or a desire. God commands us to love Him first. And first means most. God wants to be our highest love.
If we really knew and understood our God, we would have no trouble loving Him most. He is so worthy of our love. He is mightier, wiser, kinder, and more beautiful than any being we can imagine. His love for us is deeper and stronger than we can even begin to understand. He is perfectly holy, and yet He is merciful and forgiving. No one else could ever come close to being like Him. He is, as His Word says, “altogether lovely.”
It is only when we take our eyes off our God that other things seem more important to us. What is taking first place in your heart?
God wants and deserves to be our highest love.
My Response:
» Who or what is in first place in my heart?
» Do I need to ask God to help me get rid of an idol so that I can love Him most?
*NOTE: The audio recording lists the passage as Matthew 23:37-38, however, the correct passage is Matthew 22:37-38.