A Graven Image ... at Christmas?

Do NOT Use Graven Images

Exodus 20:1-6 KJV

And God spake all these words, saying,  2  I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;  6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

In these verses we are clearly told that we are to worship the Lord GOD, and worship HIM alone.  This is the meaning of "no other gods before me", and is the first of the Ten Commandments.  The second of the Ten Commandments seems very similar, but it means that we may only worship GOD in the way that HE has told us to worship HIM.

The idol worshiping cultures throughout the world make images of wood and stone; images covered with gold, silver or other decorations.  Scripture makes it clear that Christians are to have nothing to do with this kind of idolatry!  To worship the idol is to violate the first commandment.  To attempt to worship the true GOD, but by using graven images, is to violate the second commandment. 

Deuteronomy 12:1-4 KJV

These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.  (2)  Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:  (3)  And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.  (4)  Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.

Duplicating any part of these idolatrous practices, and using them in the worship of GOD, is an abomination.  It is impossible to "redeem" these practices and use the patterns, forms, or traditions in the worship of GOD.  We cannot copy the world, and say that we are doing it to worship GOD.  We must examine ourselves _[1], and search for graven images that we have made up.  When we find them, it is a clear sign that we are violating the second commandment, and perhaps also the first!

What Are Graven Images

The commandment to "not make unto thee any graven images" clearly includes a reference to statues made of wood or stone.  This practice was common throughout the ancient world, as it is today.  _[2]  But the root of the word “graven image” is a verb which means to carve, engrave, or hew (cut).  _[3]  Therefore, a “graven image” is designed  by its maker, and crafted it into a shape which has meaning to the maker’s audience.  In this understanding, an idea can be a “graven image” just as much as a statue.  The only difference is that the designer’s engraving tool is a pen instead of a chisel.  The canvas is a piece of paper instead of a block of stone.

In fact, it is right to say that the idea behind the “graven image” is the graven image.  The essence of idolatry is that men’s hearts are loving and desiring something other than GOD.  Whether or not a physical statue of wood or stone is involved, it is still the wicked condition of the heart that constitutes idolatry.  So, the real graven image is the false god that men have created in their minds; i.e. the idea that they have made up.

Isaiah 42:8 KJV

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

The glory and praise mentioned in this verse is what GOD deserves for who HE is, and what HE has done.  HE does not share this glory!  We must not hope in any other source for salvation or provision; if we do, we are expecting GOD to share HIS glory.  We must not praise any other being for our blessings; if we do, we are expecting GOD to share HIS glory.  And that is the wickedness of idolatry.

A Common Graven Image

Jeremiah 16:19-20 KJV

O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. 20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?

In this passage, Scripture calls it a lie, vanity, and worthless to make up a “god” which is really not.  It also says that the gentiles, throughout the ends of the earth, have all made up these “gods”.  This means us.  We have inherited things in our culture and in our traditions which are worthless and idolatrous.

Generally speaking there are many “gods” that we have made up:  career, money, wellness, popularity, etc.  As “gods” these are all worthless.  But we have also created specific “gods”, with specific names, and with specific common forms of worship which are widely practiced by the vast majority.

One such “god” is said to have an unlimited resource from which to give gifts and blessings to his followers.  Although he only visits the earth one night each year, he travels everywhere instantly to bestow these blessings.  It is believed that he knows whether or not you have committed sins (i.e. been “bad or good”), and that he judges all the earth rightly.  At his yearly visit those who have been “bad” do not receive a blessing.  According to this religion this “god” knows what each person has done by watching them at all times; he even sees them when they are sleeping and knows when they are awake.  The followers of this “god” communicate with him by writing their prayers in the form of letters.

Sharing GOD’s Glory?

In theological terms, the “god” described above includes several divine qualities.  He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present (everywhere at once).  He is also a just and fair judge, as well as benevolent and ready to hear the prayers of his followers.  Because of this, the followers of this “god” are filled with awe, hope, love and desire toward him.  They are filled with excitement at the thought of his visit.  They place their trust in him, fully expecting that he will deliver what has been promised.

This is the very essence of idolatry.  Only GOD is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present.  And only GOD deserves such worship!  Believing in this idol, or teaching others to believe in him, is to break the first and second commandments.  It is to make up a “god” in our minds, a graven image, made out of ideas, traditions and stories.  It is to worship that idol instead of the one true GOD.

References

(1)  2 Corinthians 13:5

(2)  Deuteronomy 29:16-17

(3)  Strong’s Dictionary

H6459, peh'-sel, From H6458; an idol: - carved (graven) image.

H6458, paw-sal', A primitive root; to carve, whether wood or stone: - grave, hew.

NONE Righteous

Romans 3:10-12 KJV  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

If you ask someone the question, "If you die tonight, where will you go?", the answer is most often "Heaven".  If you then ask them, "Why?", the answer is usually, "I'm a good person".

 

Justice

Anyone who answers this way does not understand the Law of GOD ₍₁₎, nor their own sinfulness; they do not understand Justice.  They may be vaguely familiar with "do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet"; but that is not the same as truly understanding the Law.

GOD is right, true, and perfect ₍₂₎.  Therefore the requirements for acceptance under HIS Law are absolute perfection.  The Lord Jesus explains clearly in Matthew chapter 5 that anyone who is angry with another is guilty of murder in his heart, and anyone who curses another is guilty of murder by his words ₍₃₎, and anyone who looks at a woman lustfully is guilty of adultery in his thoughts ₍₄₎.  This shows us that the Law is as much about our thoughts and attitudes as it is about our actual actions.

To be accepted before GOD, under HIS Law, we must have lived our entire lives without ever having a sinful thought.  We are even required to love our enemies while they are attacking us.  The Lord Jesus said plainly that we are to bless them that curse us, and do good to them that hate us ₍₅₎.  Finally, HE finishes this very saying with, "be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect".

This is the Biblical understanding of the requirements of the Law of GOD.  It is a sharp contrast with our pitiful and feeble attempts to justify ourselves.  Consider the following examples of the self-righteous arguments that men make:

a)  When a list of commandments is given in Scripture, just find one in each list that you didn't do.  Somehow, then, you can argue that the rest of the list doesn't apply.  This is equivalent to a criminal arguing to the Judge that the entire list of charges against him should be dismissed simply because one of the charges has not be proven.  What would the Judge say to that man?

b)  When you are confronted with your sin, just compare yourself to someone else who has committed a 'worse' sin.  Somehow, then, your sin will be ignored.  This is equivalent to a criminal arguing to the Judge that the entire list of charges against him should be dismissed simply because there are other criminals out there.  What would the Judge say to that man?

c)  When you are cornered with your guilt you can admit it and it's ok because your 'good deeds' make up for your crimes.  Somehow, then, your sin will be considered to be paid for.  This is equivalent to a criminal arguing to the Judge that the entire list of charges against him should be dismissed simply because he was volunteering in the community the week before he committed the murder.  What would the Judge say to that man?

 

The Problem

It is clear, from the plain meaning of Scripture, that none of us have ever kept the Law as we are required to keep it.  This is why Paul writes in Romans 3 that there is NONE righteous.  Yet, someone will argue, "except for... ", to which Paul already answers, "NO, NOT ONE". 

The truth is that we all know we are guilty.  We all know that we have not kept the Law as GOD requires.  We only invent these excuses to hide from the truth.  We all know we have done things so wicked that we could not reveal them to our closest friend.  Imagine that someone had the ability to show a video of our life; every word and action had been recorded.  And our life was then displayed in front everyone; opened up for all to see.  We all know we would hide in shame and embarrassment; we would never show our face there again.

James 2:10 KJV  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Bible places all men in the same position.  We have already seen that the requirement for acceptance with GOD is absolute perfection.  In James 2:10 we see the necessary conclusion of that fact:  just one sin means we are less than perfect and therefore guilty.  GOD does not have a “sliding-scale” when it comes to sin; there is only perfect, or guilty!

Proverbs 17:15 KJV  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

As guilty sinners we deserve only the wrath of GOD.  And GOD, who is perfect in justice, cannot simply forgive us because we ask HIM to.  Proverbs 17:15 makes is clear that anyone who justifies a wicked man, is an abomination!  We all know this to be true.  Consider a Judge who is sentencing a convicted criminal; the criminal is guilty of murder.  But the Judge has taken a bribe, or the Judge decides to be "merciful", and simply lets the criminal go free.  But that is not mercy.  That is not justice.  We all know that crime must be punished; and letting people get away with crimes is a corrupt thing!  GOD is the perfect Judge, and Scripture states that "the Judge of all the earth shall do right" ₍₆₎. 

The problem then, is how can GOD forgive us?

 

Good News

GOD justly forgives us, because our sin has already been punished.  The Law of GOD and the Justice of GOD must be satisfied, and the Lord Jesus Christ has perfectly satisfied both!  HE lived a perfect life and had no sin.  But, HE took our sin upon himself so that HE could pay for it with HIS own life.

Isaiah 53:5-6 KJV  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Lord Jesus Christ died in our place.  GOD the Father punished HIS own Son on the cross for our sins. 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Lord Jesus is alive; HE is raised from the grave because his sacrifice and atonement for sin was accepted by the Father.  The payment is complete!

 

Repent And Believe

GOD has done this for us because of HIS love.

John 3:16 KJV  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

GOD offers the gift of HIS son Jesus Christ to the world freely.  Now we are commanded to repent of our sins, and believe in Jesus Christ ₍₇₎. 

Romans 10:9 KJV  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

References

(1)      In this article "Law" refers to the moral Law of GOD which does not change.  This is not a reference to the Ceremonial Law, nor the Mosaic Covenant.

(2)      Deuteronomy 32:4

(3)      Matthew 5:21-22

(4)      Matthew 5:27-28

(5)      Matthew 5:43-48

(6)      Genesis 18:25

(7)      Mark 1:15