A show of godliness as a means to become wealthy. Sound familiar? Chasing the myth of false wealth and false blessings. Similarly, the world is saved through Christ, not through the self-help myth:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9: 36 (NLT)
Confused and helpless; sheep without a shepherd. Chasing after the same myths over and over again. So it was and so it will be again. The true Gospel has come into the world beloved. It is filled with hope and salvation. There is more beyond this earth; so much more. There is a way. There is truth. There is a life. It is through Jesus Christ and not the myths of this world. Baal may have been replaced with another name. Asherah still lives on through the lustful spirit enveloping our nation. The Pharisaical spirit of legalism still permeates the church. The myths are still there.
Too many modern church messages are designed to make us feel better about ourselves when we really should be feeling worse about ourselves and better about the God we serve. The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us:
This is what the L ord says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the L ord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the L ord , have spoken! Jeremiah 9: 23-24 (NLT)
We do not boast in our wisdom or power because anything we get is only through almighty God to begin with! When kings thought themselves wise and powerful God deposed them. Our true boasting must always be in the Lord and all He has done and has yet to do. Paul understood this:
If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 2Corinthians 11: 30-31 (NLT)
It is God and God alone that is worthy of eternal praise. If we must boast beloved, let us follow the example of Paul and boast in what makes us weak, because there is where God is strongest in our lives. Let us truly chase the Author and Finisher of our Faith and not the myths of man. Let your itching ears only itch to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Do not be led astray. Amen.
