The Second Commandment

*The following post was originally written as a meditation for our Confession of Sin during Lord’s Day worship.

Confession of Sin

Acknowledging our guilt; resting in His grace.

The Second Commandment:

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:4-6)

While the blatant idolatrous worship of physical objects certainly still exists throughout God’s world, it is far less common within our culture. Even still, our need of this command is not lessened. This is because it is not that the sinful idolatry of the human heart has been abolished in our culture, but rather that it has been morphed into a more socially acceptable form.

No longer do we commonly worship trinkets, carvings, and statues; today we often give our worship to achievements, careers, possessions, human approval and societal status’. Today we “serve” the false gods of physical beauty, youth, money, social media, movies, trendy home decorations, travel and vacations, recreation, and all sorts of other desirable worldly allurements. Many of which are not in themselves inherently evil things.

Yet, when such things occupy the supreme attention and devotion of our hearts and lives––which rightly belongs only to God––we have discovered that our hearts are full of sinful idolatry which violates the holy law of God and belittles his infinite glory.

We discover that we too have often “bowed down” and “served” the false deities of this world by setting them as the rudder and motivation of our heart.

We discover that we, like all other men, have greatly dishonored the one true God who made us, sustains us, watches over us, cares for all our needs, and––despite our sinfulness––has given his own Son as a bleeding Savior for our salvation.

In reflecting on these holy and perfect commands which God has given for his glory and for our good, we discover anew our great need for the forgiveness and redemption that is found only in Jesus Christ.

We invite you to privately confess your sins before the Lord now. — (A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION)

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness

11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)