Christianese Radio: No Show Today

Yes, I apologize, but there will be no show today (Monday, September 14, 2009). Some things have been going on recently that have had me in really deep thought. There were also some things that had to be sorted out. Further struggle with sin has had me re-evaluating a lot of things in my life, and the Enemy has been on the prowl. But a verse I latched onto tonight is of the words of John who wrote:

"...greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world."
-1 John 4:4 (NASB)

While this verse can refer to those in the world who oppose you and Christ in general, it can also refer to the Devil and his servants who are, indeed, in the world because, as we all know, they were cast out of Heaven.

This verse gave me courage tonight. I will elaborate more on the next podcast, but for now I regret to say that I must take some time to get my thoughts--or more accurately life--together. The show will return tomorrow (Tuesday), Lord-Willing. And then next week, Lord-Willing, the show will finally be back to its regular Monday-morning schedule.

I apologize for the delay, but I feel that it is necessary. So until Tuesday morning,

The Grace of Christ be with you,

~Joe Harrison

The Second Commandment

I was listening to a sermon last night by Michael Youssef (Leading the Way), really a true man of God. The sermon was about the second commandment, "You shall have no graven images (idols)". And this got me really thinking about the second commandment, and the fact that when I put idols before God, not only is it wrong, but I am making God jealous!

Michael talked about the word "jealousy" and how we have stolen it from its original meaning and misused it. Today, we use jealousy to refer to "I want what the person has!". But in actuality, that's envy, covetousness. Jealousy in its original definition literally means 'wanting what is rightfully yours that someone (or something) else has taken'.

We are rightfully God's, because He created us. But He doesn't just want us because He owns us. He wants us because He loves us. So when we make idols in His place, His love brings Him to jealousy, because He desires to have us and doesn't want to see us in the arms of another. In the arms of a lifeless idol. Because He also knows it's better for us to be with Him than to be with these idols.

Michael told a true story about a Muslim monastery that was invaded, and the invaders went through the monastery hacking down all the idols within the place. And the Muslims seeing this pleaded with the invaders not to shatter a specific idol because it meant so much to them. But the invaders ignored them and chopped at the idol... and as soon as they did this, out from the cracks poured jewels and gold and all kinds of treasure that had been hidden within. And Michael used this story to truthfully illustrate what happens when we "hack down" our idols for Christ. The treasure within the idol is our relationship with Christ. And that relationship will flow in abundance, and we will find more joy in Christ our Savior than in a worthless idol.

And when you look at the full picture: Jesus Christ loved us so much that He laid down His life for us to display this love. If He laid down His life... what are we willing to lay down for Him? Do we love Him enough to lay down our idols? Because if we can't let go of our idols, what we are essentially saying is "God, I love these idols more than I love You", and we are in severe danger. We're in a position where our relationship with Christ is weak, which means that we are weak to Satan's attacks. I mean, just think of it! Satan is happy with you right now because you aren't letting go of your idols. He's probably snickering to himself and rubbing his hands together, sneering up at God.

Give your idols up in the name of Christ! They no longer own you. Christ purchased you away from them, away from your sin. Don't let your old master get a hold of you again.