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WORSHIPING CREATION
Far from being a new thing, the worship of creation or nature can be traced back to the beginnings of the world's religions. Generally it involves the seasons, nature, superstitious ideas about peculiar looking stones and other objects, holidays or holy days, the sun, moon, stars, angels, etc. Creation worship parades as a peaceful movement that teaches equality among the peoples of the earth and the betterment of society. As he often did, Paul warned of those who would use “enticing words” to lead people astray by their underhandedness (see Colossians 2:4). God in His Book points out the wicked character of creation worship. In Romans 1:25 it is written: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” It is as if someone wrote a great book, made a great discovery, painted a glorious painting or some other truly magnificent work only to have people worship and honor what he or she had accomplished while not only ignoring the originator of the thing – and going beyond that – heaping scorn and slander upon him or her. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine for polio. The men who wrote the Constitution of the United States produced a grand document copied 'round the world. These are just two who along with a multitude of others are recognized and honored for their work: and rightfully so. They have contributed much to the betterment of society. But in creation worship, God who is the Creator is ignored, slandered and hated while His works are worshiped. He is not even recognized as existing by some who worship nature this way. Certainly His Word is ignored which means that there is no effort on the part of creation worshipers to honor Him. Whether the earth, the elements, angels, or any other created thing is honored or worshiped in creation worship God is not the object of such devotion. Think about what a travesty – a debased and distorted kind of worship this is! Rather than honor the Creator those who worship creation deny Him and in so doing pervert “the truth of God into a lie.” It is God the Creator who should be worshiped and not His handwork! And who is the Creator? God's Word tells us. Speaking of Jesus Christ as the “Word” or revelation of God John said: “The same [Christ, God the Son] was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made, (John 1:2-3). According to John 5:23 it is the Father's will, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” Do you worship the Son of God, Jesus Christ who is the Creator? To worship or honor any created thing or person is to defraud God the Father and God the Son of their rightful honor and glory!
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