The One, and Only, God

“Gods “R” Us”, might be the name of this shop I peeked into recently.  Obviously the owners weren’t atheists, and since they couldn’t decide on just one god, why not worship them all!   It reminded me of Paul’s visit to Athens.  Don your togas and travel back with me, to that large, metropolitan city, in the year 40 AD or so.  

The entire ancient world agreed that the Athenians were an intelligent, hip, “in the know” society.  Even judging them by today’s standards they were all that, and a bag of chips.  The goddess Artemis was a particular favorite, but it is my guess that there were stores, similar to this one, on every corner.  In fact, the city as a whole had built a memorial wall where they placed, in individual niches, images of silver, gold and stone, representing all the known gods of the day. In addition they left one shelf vacant reserved for the “Unknown god”.  Not wanting to offend any freelance gods that they might have overlooked. This action, they felt assured, covered all their spiritual bases. 

Enter Paul.  The wise apostle knew that people could never be won to Christ by insulting the religions they were already practicing, so he addressed them respectfully.  “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ “.  At this point Paul has their attention, and he goes in deeper to reveal who this hither to unknown god is. “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”  Acts 17:22-25.  As he continued I’m sure he was treading on some toes, but on he went bringing home his case. 

Fast forward 2000 + years, and as foolish as multi-god or pantheism may seem, believe me it still exists, even within Christianity! I personally know people who claim to be Christians, but put stock in necromancy (talking to the dead),  reincarnation and other non-Christian practices and beliefs.  Why?  I think that many modern day folks aren’t much different than those ancient Athenians.  Some facet of other religions appeals to them, and they don’t want to miss anything, just in case Jesus doesn’t pan out. Perhaps it’s because they belong to a church, but have never made a personal connection with Christ.  Christ came to fill all our needs and niches, and for those who truly, intimately know him, he does.

If you feel the need to supplement God, do so through studying his word, prayer, fasting and meditation.  Don’t be tempted to let foreign doctrines diminish who He is, and MUST be in your life.

“But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Corinthians 8:6