Image Worship III

Image Worship III;”My prayer is that the pagan customs that predate Christianity will not cause worship to become a stolen valor. Stolen valor is when someone receives the glory that belongs to another.”                   WD Roscoe

At the end of the Christmas holiday, there is that moment when it’s time for our love ones to depart and return to their homes and workplaces. Then, there is the mad dash to crowded stores where gifts exchanged for something more practical or something that is liked better by the gift’s owner. While nothing is wrong with gift exchanging, it does open a door for a final discussion surrounding image worship.
Speculations and conjectures are words that add interesting material to a teaching or lecture. They may only amount to hearsay or opinions and do not necessarily have to be truths.

For example, when we say “Jesus Christ is a gift to the world.” While this statement is true, does the listener understand the difference between the meaning of a “gift” versus a “ransom?” The words “gifts and presents” are synonymous with “benevolences and offerings”. However, the truth is that Jesus Christ became a “sacrifice” for man. Sacrifice means that Jesus was a ransom for our sins rather than a gift or present.

The idea of a ransom paid for redemption dates back as far as the book of Exodus. Just like the Temple offerings were sacred, God prepared a consecrated Lamb with sacred properties that were only found in Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth) our Lord and Savior. The point here is that no ordinary offerings were sufficient for a sacred sacrifice to the LORD, by the sanctuary regulations.

12 “Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.
13 Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the LORD. (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)
(Exo 30:12-13 NLT)
28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mat 20:28 NLT)
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mar 10:45 NLT)
6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating– just telling the truth. (1Ti 2:6-7 NLT)

When a person receives a gift, that gift belongs to the person receiving the gift. He or she can do whatever they want with it because the gift is theirs. The significant difference with a ransom is that somebody else puts up the ransom and payment goes to the holder of the hostage. Important Note: The devil is not the holder nor is he the owner of the children of God. Adonai (the God of Israel) had a plan to redeem His people from under the mandatory penalties demanded by the Law. The devil had no authority in God’s legal system; it was God’s right to do what was just. So, God set up a system where a mediator could pay “the bail” for the law breakers in the form of a ransom. No gold, silver, or money could redeem the soul of man. Only a sacred ransom (divine substitute) would satisfy the requirements of the Law.

14 “Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring on your terrors! O grave, bring on your plagues! For I will not take pity on them. (Hos 13:14 NLT)

Yeshua, (Jesus Christ) was the only individual who exhibited both the characteristics of a Mediator and a Redeemer in one person. Jesus told the people what His Heavenly Father required of them. Then, He went to the Father and poured His blood on the Mercy Seat on our behalf.

5 For there is only one God and one Mediator, who can reconcile God and humanity– the man Christ Jesus.
6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating– just telling the truth.
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
(1Ti 2:5-8 NLT)

Image Worship III

Therefore, it was God, Himself Who brought the holiest sacrifice possible that could entirely satisfy the divine requirement of Torah. That lamb of God was the only redeeming entity who met the extreme scrutiny and demands of the Law.
My prayers are that all of the sights and sounds of the Christmas celebration will not overshadow the events of Calvary. And, that the pagan customs that predate Christianity will not cause worship to become a stolen valor. Stolen valor is when someone receives the glory that belongs to another. Our Given Savior and He alone deserves ALL the Glory.

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