How the Gospel Confronts Idolatry

“You can’t really administer the gospel in a life-changing way unless you also, like Paul always did, discern and expose and challenge the idols of your place… If you’re trying to communicate the gospel to anybody you need to know what their idols are, because the gospel is [that] you’re saved by grace, and the idol is that you’re saved by something else… Do you realize how many different forms of works salvation there are? ” – Timothy Keller

Jesus makes all of us uncomfortable.

For those who idolize a church, he calls us to be willing to leave it.

For those of us who have idolized the family that said they would leave us if we leave Mormonism and become a born-again Christian, he calls us to “hate” our family (Luke 14:26).

For those of us who idolize money, he calls us to sell everything we have and follow him.

For those of us who idolize our self-righteousness and pride, he calls us to reach a desperation and declare spiritual bankruptcy (Romans 4:4-5).

For those of us who idolize a nice and tidy top-down human structure that governs our lives, he calls us to endure and serve the messy Bride of Christ.

For those of us who idolize human authority, he calls us to rebuke them for their sins.

For those of us who idolize human relationships, he calls us to be lonely for a season.

For those of us who idolize the scoffing of those without truth, he calls us to learn compassion by getting intimately involved in others’ lives.

For those of us who idolize ourselves as gods-in-embryo, he calls us to worship the only God that will ever be.

For those of us who idolize food, he calls us to fast.

The gospel is about looking outside ourselves to trust the righteousness and exaltation and provision of another, Jesus Christ. Only then will we be made righteous, sanctified, and glorified.

Friends, the Lord is ready and willing to save you and to immediately forgive all your sins and give you eternal life! Declare spiritual bankruptcy and stop trying to earn your own forgiveness or prove your own worthiness. Stop worshiping a false God who was once a mere man before he became a God. Worship the God who always was, is, and will be God for all worlds. Stop showing up at the “temp agency” where you think you can earn your own wages with divine assistance, and instead show up at God’s gracious welfare office for free forgiveness and a transformed heart.

Jesus gets all the glory that way!

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206 Responses to How the Gospel Confronts Idolatry

  1. Franco40 says:

    Jason,

    Since I am on my loansome here, may as well throw in that…”I say unto thee this day” was the common Hebrew idiom for emphasising the occasion of making a solemn statement.

    ps I suggest you follow your namesake and post some Jason & the Scorchers youtube links. Now that would get this blog a rockin’….LOL!!

  2. Rick B says:

    Jason, I prophecy with more accuracy than your false prophets do. I have stated many times since you hate the Bible and believe it is wrong you cannot defend your false view. I provided scripture and you only provide stupid songs from You tube. How pathetic. So I said it would happen and guess what? You proved me correct, your dodging questions. Rick b

  3. Jason Rae says:

    Franco, you are clearly one of the more savvy ev posters – you make a very good point. Amazing the difference in doctrine a comma placement can make.

    It seems to me though that to say “today” in this situation would be unnecessary and redundant since we know obviously that it’s being said “today”. So I wondered if there was another situation where Christ said something similar and meant that very day and I found this:

    ” Peter said unto him: And though all men should be offended, yet would not I. And Jesus said unto him: Verily I say unto thee, this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he spake bolder: no, if I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Likewise also said they all. ”

    In the above verse when Christ said “this day” he meant that very day. So maybe the common Hebrew idiom was “I say unto thee” rather than “I say unto thee this day” but I don’t really know. Since Hebrew texts lack any kind of punctuation and the translators are left to figure out where to place the emphasis it’s hard to say 100%. I will continue to look into this one.

    Not sure how I missed Jason & the Scorchers (never heard of them) – but thanks for the tip! 🙂

  4. Jason Rae says:

    Ok Rick, please tell me, what critical life altering questions am I dodging now?

    Oh and do you really want to tell the ev lurkers that their transition songs are stupid?? Sheesh. Not very nice. And how can you not appreciate the Leaf Trombone? You must not be an Apple/iPhone guy.

  5. Rick B says:

    No Jason, were done, you do dodge questions and you cannot answer scripture I provide, your simply wasting my time so I lose replies to you. And others have pointed out you and other LDS have dodged questions, so it’s not just me saying it. Rick b

  6. Jason Rae says:

    Rick, I stated my opinion on this topic nearly 4 times then you posted and stated your opinion. You should know by now that I think you are wrong. Why should I have to repeat what I think again? You didn’t ask any new questions so I have no idea what I’m dodging.

    ” Well we’re movin on up, To the east side. To a deluxe apartment in the sky.

    Just keep singing that as you transition from tyranny to the truth.

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