“Never say never”, but there is one thing that God-fearing people must never do. The whole Bible testifies to something that is absolutely abhorrent in God’s eyes and something that God’s prophets and apostles were quick to denounce.

The first commandment from God says this: “And God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:1-6

Of all the commandments, laws and regulations God gave to His chosen people this was the first and is number one in importance. God states that He is a jealous God and as He bestows His love upon His own He demands a heart of singular love back. He is God and He loves us; He knows that if the Devil can seduce us to set our affections on someone other than Him our lives will be destroyed. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;” John 10:10 This is the subtle trap that Satan lays for man: to get our eyes off of God and look to man for help and deliverance.

In the early church Peter and John come upon a man who was born lame and was begging for money. As they looked at him they commanded the man, in the Name of Jesus, to rise and walk. He jumped to his feet and began to walk, and then began leaping and praising God. Everyone who saw what happened immediately turned their attention towards Peter and John, looking at them as if they were God.

Peter responded: “..Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? …It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:12-16

A similar incident happened to Barnabas and Paul. They came upon a man crippled from birth and commanded him to rise and walk, which he did. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted… “The gods have come down to us in human form!” “..The priest…and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:  “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things…” Acts 14:11-15 Notable miracles indeed and in both cases the apostles refused the glory that belonged to God alone through His Son Jesus.

The only person God ever set forth for men to look to and honor was His Son who presently sits at God’s right hand as Lord over all. Jesus said; “the Father… has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. ” John 5:22-23

Jesus Christ was given to sinners as Savior. To those who confess Him as Lord, He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is our High Priest, Advocate, Shepherd, Friend and Brother. We are complete in Him and through Him alone have access to the Father. NEVER exalt anyone above Jesus Christ: NEVER!

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted @ bboldham@sbcglobal.net