In today's story the battle between the gods continues. The god of this world 1*.opposing the God of Heaven.2*.
Sometimes in the news we hear about a coup that has taken place somewhere. That's when the president of a country has been rejected by some of his own people and they have chosen for themselves another leader.
Here is a true story about the greatest coup leader that ever there was.
On one occasion the Devil came face to face with Jesus, the King of kings, and "led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, `I will give You all their authority and splendor for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if You worship me it will all be yours.'"
3*.
Jesus was the Creator of all things in Heaven and on earth; 4*.but, here the Devil was claiming that the world was now his! You see, there has been a worldwide coup and people have accepted a deceiver, the Devil, as their leader!5*.It is because the world is going after him as their leader that he is spoken of as "the god of this world," or "the prince of this world." 6*.
This answers why there is so much suffering, hatred, violence, deceit, unfaithfulness, etc. in our world. Having the Devil in control of the people in every part of their lives - even their religious lives - has resulted in confusion and disorder!
The Devil knew Jesus was a religious person so he tried to catch Him out by encouraging Him to worship! He only asked that some worship should be given to the Devil seeing he ruled over, and had control of the world.
Jesus' replied, "It is written, `Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"
7*. God has made it clear throughout Scripture that He "will not share His glory with any other, nor will He share His praise with images." 8*.
The Devil could not get Jesus to direct the slightest worship away from the one true God of Heaven.
But the Devil has not found it difficult to deceive others! For example, he suggests seemingly good reasons why people should worship and adore the virgin Mary and many other "saints". As a result many include worship of these in their prayers.
There is ONE very good reason for NOT doing so, and Jesus draws our attention to it here. The true and living God, our Creator, in Holy jealousy, has demanded that we worship Him only. 9*.He alone is worthy!
Remember, the true God was even willing to die for your sins and mine; and He rose again to be able to save all who would trust in Him. All true saints down through all ages have worshipped ONLY GOD; and Mary also worshipped Him alone saying, "God is my Saviour." 10*.
Many today are being deceived into disobeying God. They want to worship others and they can give their "good reasons" for doing so!
Which of the "gods" have you chosen to obey?
In Luke chapter 4, verses 5-8 Jesus makes it plain that there are to be no reasons to worship anyone other that the God of Heaven.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Footnotes. Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 2nd Corinthians 4:4.
2 Romans 1:18-25.
3 Luke 4:5-7.
4 Colossians 1:16.
5 Revelation 12:9.
6 John 12:31. 14:30.
7 Luke 4:8.
8 Isaiah 42:8.
9 Exodus 34:14.
10 Luke 1:46-47.
