We weren’t far into our adoption when we took our sons to eat at their first Chinese restaurant.
Inside was a huge Buddha. One of my sons looked at me and asked, “Is that an idol?” I replied that it was, and he then asked, “Do you want me to bash the idol?”
His childlike faith was demonstrated at that moment. We had talked about ours being the one true and living God, and he believed this. Motivated by the stories in the Old Testament about how the kings had gone about destroying idolatry in the land of Judah and killing those who practiced it, our son simply wanted to imitate their faith.
Paul reminded his readers many times in his letters to imitate him. These days we would consider that “humblebrag.” We fear people seeing us as how we are. We depend on the Holy Spirit to work out faith in us. However, we are called to be examples to those around us.
One problem is that we fail to see the idols that exist in our lives. I grew up hearing Bible stories and thinking of an idol only as a statue. But I struggle with all kinds of idols in my heart—pride, reputation, and writing, to name a few.
Jesus confronted these idols and more in Matthew 6, pointing out that outward adherence to the Law was not the same as having the right attitudes.
If others saw how I eliminated idols in my life (ruthlessly bashing them if necessary), they would want to imitate my faith. This is the same kind of faith the author of Hebrews was talking about in the above verse. Faith shines amid opposition.
Which idol are you willing to rid yourself of today by faith?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Marcellus George is an author and a professor of theology. He and his wife are thankful for their adopted twin sons. He enjoys writing and reflecting on all the things God has done for us in adopting us. You can connect with him on his website, "Lessons From the Adoptive Journey," at https://marcellusgeorge.com.