The gods of our age are prominent and present around every corner. Gods of security, fortune, war, safety, pleasure, and so many others vie for our allegiance all the time. Their seductions are powerful because they promise something good, albeit at a steep price.
Against the gods of our age, Paul in Ephesians 4:22–24 presents baptism as the definitive and authoritative symbol of our allegiance to the LORD our God. In the waters of baptism, we "put away [our] former way of life," are "renewed in the spirit of [our] minds," and "clothe [ourselves] with the new self, created according to the likeness of God." Baptism is what makes it possible to "be imitators of God" as Paul will go on to encourage in Ephesians 5:1.
All our imitations of God are direct challenges to the gods of our age. We give generously, rejecting the god of selfish accumulation. We speak words that build up, rebelling against the god of war. We act work honestly, renouncing the god of pleasure and greed. In each of these actions, we show the world a picture of the God we worship.
As you reflect on this word, individually and with others, consider:
If it's true that we become like the god we worship, I wonder who others would say we worship, were they to observe our lives? How do we spend our time, our attention, our money in a way that reveals we worship the One True God?
What do our desires say about our love for God? Do we spend more time thinking about and longing for Him or for one of the many "false gods" of our age?
Which "false god" most often captures your focus? How can you rebel against it this week?
My prayer for us: Good and beautiful God, may You shape us into Your image and likeness, more today than yesterday, more tomorrow than today. May our worship of You be shaped by Your truth and done in the power of Your Spirit. And may we reflect You truly and authentically to an onlooking community. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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