Thoughts for another day

Jan. 18, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 10:20. No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There’re many Christians in countries not worshipping Christ; who compromise with their faith and include symbols and other things that’re against Jesus’ teachings in their system of worship.  In seeing some old family photographs recently, I came across one of a priest, who’s in my extended family, and I was shocked to see Him keep the Cross on top of a framed photograph of the word ‘Om’ in the hindu script; and this structure was his worship place.  Dazed, I wondered how this Catholic priest could’ve his understanding so warped that he considered as acceptable the word that hindus integrated into their ‘worship’.  Similarly, some time ago, I’d gone to a book shop and bought some music cds of a Catholic priest where again he had used the same word in his songs! 

This comes as a shock to many but it’s a fact; a sad one at that, that even the shepherds of the flock have become corrupt and compromised their faith to probably please the people they live among to gain their acceptance and respect!  While this isn’t a judgment on these people, the fact that they do this is self-inflicting judgment.  I write this only to make you realize the extent of contamination of our faith.  Besides, I see so many ‘practicing’ Christians seeing nothing wrong in people worshiping idols or even participating in their worship.  The question is: how much do they know God?

To mention my own stupidity, once while talking to a colleague, I asked her to pray for me. The Lord in His mercy, pointed out the error in my way for this woman was an idol worshipper and so she’d pray to her idol and in this, I would’ve inadvertently accept her idol as ‘god’, the way she did.  My friends there’re many such instances in our lives particularly us who live among non-Christians which lead us to dilute our faith and compromise.  Some may think, what’s the harm if you do a small thing like that, but be warned – it’s not acceptable to our God.  A thorough reading of the Bible will show you this fact and that’s why I can understand Paul writing our above Scripture.  My caution to you is: be aware of these things and don’t take anything that even in a little way seeks acceptance as a thing of God, for that’s how the devil works in finally making us forsake our God.