So my dad and I are studying a phenomenal book together. It’s called Knowing God by J.I. Packer. In it Packer breaks down the pursuit of knowledge of God. Not just studying about him, but rather finding out about him as you would a friend. As you grow in finding out about this person you begin to interact and think about this person totally different. Its an awesome book. Buy it. My pastor equates it to the necessity of a toothbrush.

I’m at a chapter in the book where Packer discusses the idea that there is only one true God worthy to be worshiped. This means that having any other ‘gods’ before the one true God is idolatry. That’s pretty straight forward right. I mean you hear all the time that we can make certain things such as tv, music, sex, or food an  idol. Simple so far.

But would if the commandment also went a little further than this. The commandment is as follows “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:4-5)

Packer bring up a point which I fully agree with. He says this commandment also refers to the worship of God by images. What does that mean? Does this mean we are including the representation of the crucifix and using it as an aid in worship could be idolatry? The answer to this question I believe is yes.

Consider this. When Aaron made the golden calf the idea was not to create a new cow god of sorts for the Israelites to worship. He was doing what he thought would honor God. He thought he was aiding the people since they were praising God for their rescue, they needed an image to assist them.

Packer makes two points concerning this issue. He says 1) Images dishonor God because the obscure his glory and 2) Images mislead us because they convey false ideas about God. Since we are psychologically unable to separate our brains from this visual representation (i.e. a portrayal of Christ on the Cross),  we dishonor God since we now  see him in the unglorified “man” form. Now, no question Jesus was fully man, but he was just as equally fully God. The question we should then raise is “Does this representation of God himself as a man obscure his glory?” I believe it can and does frequently.

After reading this, that idea finally hit home for me. How dare I for my own good or religious experience, degrade God’s infinite glory and power. I am fully committed to honoring him  with my life  and I find the need to contextualize God by making him like me!!!

When I survey this wonderful idea that I am incapable to grasp the full nature and image of God and his infinite power and glory, it makes the whole idea of Christ’s sacrifice so much greater. I cannot even comprehend God yet he sent his Son for me? Mind blowing. I am left in awe. This is the “power of God”. The gospel truth.

Knowing now that I don’t need the visual representation of the cross to be awed by God affirms in my mind that true worship is the faith act of laying ones self down in the sight of something that cannot be seen. I am made in his perfect image. Not Gog made in mine. Praise God for that!!