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To: 1000 silverlings
He says specifically not to bow down or prostrate yourself before it. He adds also, not to worship it in a manner unique to that idol. Looks like in the Catholic way of doing things, each idol has some kind of unique identity that goes with it.

INDEED.

So much so, that the very rituals themselves become idolized and construed as "a means of grace" in and of themselves. More earning one's own salvation and/or place with God and/or benefits from God.

Every RELIGIOUS GROUP is in danger of and usually guilty of the same thing--thankfully most Proddy groups to a somewhat less intense degree but still quite deadly degree . . .

Many Pentecostal groups periodically try and adjust DEPENDENCIES ON RELIGIOUS RITUALS that evolve even in such groups as that.

Sometimes leaders half jokingly say: "OK, assume the position." . . . meaning hands held out, palms up, ready to receive from God. There's meaning in acting out a heart attitude of being ready and receptive for something from God direct to you as an individual.

However, God is NOT a vending machine . . . and no amount of hours standing or sitting 'assuming the position' is going to guarantee anything from God, whatsoever. God looks on the heart.

Brokenness and contrition before God count for a lot with God. NO AMOUNT OF RITUAL DOES AND even low levels of compulsive, addicted, idolatrous attention to ritual will incur various levels of God's wrath depending on the heart focus.

CERTAINLY doing something God says fiercely TO AVOID is a poor way to incur God's favor! DOH!

Of course, God is still incredibly merciful and I've known Him to do some surprising things because He found a sincere part of someone's heart even though they were going through some meaningless or worse kind of ritual.

9,778 posted on 10/09/2010 12:53:15 PM PDT by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: Quix

yes, the story of Hosea and Gomer is a great parable of God’s love for His adulterous people


9,779 posted on 10/09/2010 12:58:04 PM PDT by 1000 silverlings (everything that deceives, also enchants: Plato)
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