The Ten Commandments: #2

The second commandment of God is a two-fold law. First of all, we learn that we are to not make any graven image, and second to not bow down to these images. What is a graven image? It could be a picture or carved image that would represent God, other gods, or people, like Mary. To do this is making an idol for yourself to worship. This is evil in the sight of God, of which He does not tolerate in the least. This commandment reads, “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. 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; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:4-6) Are you keeping this commandment if you have a picture or image of Mary? No. What if you pray to Mary? No. This is idolatry in its finest, of which people that do this are not going to heaven.

To help bring home the importance of not having in your possession a graven image, nor bowing down to it, God continued and said, “ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” (Exodus 20:23-25) So what can we do for the God of the heavens? We can make unto Him an altar. Sure, sacrificial offerings in the way of lambs are no longer needed. The altar could be a quiet place in our house where we can get on bended knees to pray to God and worship Him. Your church may have an altar at the front, where you can kneel down and pray. This type of worship is allowed among God’s people, however, it is not required. We can simply call upon the Lord where we are and the Lord will also be with us in those moments also. Amen.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us to remember Your commandments. These laws were not simply spoken and written down in the Bible for us to know about, but to also follow and obey. The second commandment is on my mind now, which says to not have or bow down to graven images. So many people pray to Mary and the saints, while having graven images in their houses and churches. These same people say they are Christians, but inwardly they love their idols more than You. Why is this happening? I may never know. All I know, God, is that I will serve You and not idols. I wish I could say all my family will do this also, but I cannot. Lord, I have tried to share with my daughters, my wife, my siblings, parents, and other relatives Your gospel message, but it has been very difficult to have anyone hear me. It is sad to know that many of them have mocked me when I come to them and talk about You, Jesus. This is saddening, but I know that there still is hope. God, I especially ask that my wife and kids come to faith while they still have breath. I love them so much and want them to go to heaven. I believe in You, God. Amen.

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