Religious idolatry

We are in a time when there is a large number of religions, which makes a lot of mixing and this mixing creates confusion; but to speak only of the believers in the Word of God which is in the Bible, we can notice that there are already there many different beliefs, denominations and doctrines; and yet there is only one Truth, one Word and only one God who is the Father Almighty.

The Word of God which is in the Bible does not speak to us about a religion as one understands it today, but of an intimate and personal relationship with our Creator. James will tell us that the pure and unblemished religion according to God is to visit widows and orphans in their afflictions and to keep oneself from the defilements of the world; in other words, to bring the Word to those in need, a Father (Christ) to orphans, a Bridegroom (Christ) to widows, and to walk in holiness (James 1:27). This is far from being the case in most churches today.

During Paul's trip to Athens, he will be taken to the Areopagus, so that he can explain the Doctrine he was bringing. At this meeting of wise men and scholars Paul will stand among them and announce to them the Living God, telling them that God does not dwell in temples made by human hands (buildings), and that 'it is not like gold, silver, or man-made stones; he will make them understand that God is not representable by objects or statutes, but that he is Spirit. And he will tell them that it is God's will that they repent and that God does not take into account the times of ignorance from the moment there is repentance. He will also announce to them the resurrection of the dead and the coming judgment:

"Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said to them: Athenian men, I find you in all respects extremely religious. For, passing by and looking at your deities, I even found an altar on which was written: To the god unknown! He whom you revere without knowing him, it is he whom I proclaim to you.The God who made the world and all that is in it, being the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with human hands. He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, he who gives life, breath, and all things to all. that all men, born of one blood, dwell throughout the whole extent of the earth, having determined the length of time and the limits of their habitation. He willed that they seek the Lord, and that they should seek the Lord. try to find him by groping, although he is not far from each of us, for it is through him that we have life, movement and being. some even of your poets: From him we are the race. So therefore, being of the race of God, we are not to believe that the Godhead is like gold, or silver, or stone cut by the art and industry of men. But God, regardless of the times of ignorance, now announces to all men everywhere that they repent, because he has stopped a day when he will judge the world according to righteousness, by the man whom he established for this, which he gave to all a sure proof by raising him from the dead. "(Acts 17: 22-31)

These Athenians were great religious, idolaters, as we can see today. They represent the things of heaven by objects, statutes, even going so far as to bow down to them as if God were in these things, he who is Spirit, of whom heaven is his throne and earth his footstool. The Doctrine of the Gospel that Paul brought announces to us a God who is Spirit, who is not found in any religion, any custom, any human tradition, any object. On the contrary, Jesus Christ is the God who delivers, who sets us free from all things; demons, sin, customs and traditions of men, carnal feelings, so that we may be truly free in Christ (John 4:24) ((John 8: 31-36).

"But the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, according to these words of the prophet: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool of my feet: What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what might be the place of my rest? Has not my hand done all these things? Stiff-necked men, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you still stand against the Holy Spirit; you do as your fathers did. " (Acts 7: 48-51)

The Word of God teaches us that we are ourselves (Christians) the temple of God, that we have been redeemed so that God dwells in us by his Spirit, that is why it is said that we do not belong to ourselves and that we must take care of our body by keeping it in holiness (1 Corinthians 3:16) (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20) (1 Corinthians 7:23).
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