Motivated by the Glory of God

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. – Acts 17:16

Psalm 115:1 identifies the glory of God as the motivation of a true Christian’s heart and life. The Apostle Paul demonstrated this motivation throughout his post-conversion life, but it’s clearest in his trip to Athens (Acts 17:16-34). There we find that he was not merely disturbed by the cultural practices of the Athenians. He was grieved by the city’s many idols and the fact that the worship and glory due to the true God was being given to the false gods the idols represented. Paul, no doubt, knew Psalm 115:4-8. He knew the idols’ emptiness: they had mouths but could not speak, eyes but could not see, ears but could not hear, and hands but could not feel. They were the work of human hands, yet the Athenians worshipped them, nonetheless. The contrast between the true and living God and the idols couldn’t have been greater. The living God of the Bible is worthy of all glory and honor, while the idols are powerless substitutes who can neither save nor satisfy longing hearts. 

Our culture may not fill its temples with statues in the same way the ancient Athenians did, but idolatry remains very much alive today. We can give ultimate value to money, success, pleasure, politics, possessions, reputation, relationships, and even ourselves. Anything that occupies God’s ultimate place in our lives becomes an idol. As we saw Sunday, Psalm 115 calls us to see the idols around us with both discernment and compassion. The goal is not merely to identify what is wrong with the world, but to proclaim the greatness of the living God who alone deserves our worship. Where idols receive glory that belongs to God, may our hearts be provoked toward faithful witness, prayer, and a renewed commitment to give God glory above all. That’s how Paul reacted in Athens. Will you follow suit today? 

Suggested Scripture Readings

• Acts 17:16-34
• Romans 1:18-25

Questions for Reflection

1. Like Paul in Athens, how can you respond to the idols around us with both conviction about God’s glory and compassion for those who worship them? 
2. What “idols” in our culture are most likely to receive the glory, trust, or devotion that belongs to God alone? top:none;<br> mso-level-number-position:right;<br> text-indent:-9.0pt;}<br>@list l1:level7<br> {mso-level-tab-stop:none;<br> mso-level-number-position:left;<br> text-indent:-.25in;}<br>@list l1:level8<br> {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;<br> mso-level-tab-stop:none;<br> mso-level-number-position:left;<br> text-indent:-.25in;}<br>@list l1:level9<br> {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;<br> mso-level-tab-stop:none;<br> mso-level-number-position:right;<br> text-indent:-9.0pt;}<br><br>–><br>