Idolatry Contrasted with Acceptable Worship in Romans (Rom. 3:23)

Wayne Galloway
03/21/12 - N/A

Series: Lessons on Idolatry

Introduction:

1.  In recent studies we have observed that man is created in the image of God.  We are designed to reflect that image in our relationship to the created order, in our relationship with other people, and in our relationship with God. 2.  The idol worshipers of Rom. 1:23 are said to have “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” 3.  As a result they were given up to all manner of sinful practices.  Indeed they had come to reflect what they worshiped and it was not a pretty picture. 4.  In Rom. 3:23 Paul summarizes the problem.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In us the image of God is marred, not lost entirely, but corrupted. 5.  But this is only the first part of Paul’s thesis in Romans.  He does not leave us marred and corrupted. 6.  He proceeds to show that through Jesus Christ, the perfect reflection of God’s glory, we can be transformed from our slavery to corruption.We can be redeemed, and conformed to the image of His Son.  The transformation will reach its culmination in the resurrection when corruption is finally and completely overcomeand the mar of sin reversed (Rom. 8:18-30). 7.  There is a radical contrast presented in Romans between idol worshipers and worshipers of God.

Discussion:

I.  The contrast is evident by comparing Rom. 1:18ff and Rom. 12:1ff.

A.  In Rom. 1:24 idolaters were given over so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.  In Rom. 12:1 our bodies are to be presented as a living and holy sacrifice.

B.  In 1:25 idolaters worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.  In 12:1 our worship is to God (the creator, nor the creature).  (Phyllis observed that the Rich Young Ruler worshiped the gift rather than the gift giver.  This is what characterizes greed.)

C.  In 1:28 idolaters were given over to a depraved mind (unacceptable, unpleasing to God). In 12:2 our minds are to be renewed, proving what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable.

D.  Michael Thompson, Clothed With Christ, JSNTSup 59, (Sheffield, U.K.: JSOT press, 1991), p. 82, summarized it as follows.

Rom. 1:18-28	Rom. 12:1-2
Wrath	Mercy
Refusing to glorify or thank God	Sacrificing to God
Dishonoring the body	Offering the body
Misunderstood, idolatrous service	Reasonable service of worship
Reprobate mind	Renewed mind
Rejecting the righteousness of God	Approving the will of God

II.  We are in the midst of this metamorphosis (Rom. 12:2).

A.  We are transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of our minds.

B.  Baptism marks the beginning of the new life (Rom. 6:1-6).  Note that this is the time from which the body of sin is done away with and we being to walk in newness of life.  Now we present our members as instruments of righteousness to God (6:13).  Cf. Col. 2:12ff.

C.  “To be ‘transformed by the renewing of your mind’ in Rom. 12:2 is the virtual equivalent to ‘becoming conformed to the image of God’s son’ in Rom. 8:29” (Beale, p. 218).

1.  Col. 3:10 refers to our “having put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created us.”

2.  This transformation involves a new mind set (Col. 3:2).

3.  And thus a new way of life (Col. 3:5ff).    There are things to be put off and things to be put on.

4.  Note the aspects of this transformation as given in Rom. 12:9-21.

III.  This radical change reaches its culmination in the resurrection (Rom. 8:18-25).

A.  Christ is the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29-30).

B.  The Thessalonians had “turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:9-10).

1.  Now they walked to please God (1 Thess. 4:1-8).

2.  Now they were waiting for the coming of God’s Son from heaven (1:10).

3.  A description of that coming is given in 4:13ff followed by instruction on how were to prepare for His coming (5:1ff).

4.   Note the way Paul closes the epistle.  “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:23).

IV.  What does all this mean?

A.  It is a summary of the message of Scripture and the scheme of redemption—image marred—image restored.

B.  It emphasizes the power of God to transform.

C.  The theme of resurrection is emphasized.

D.  It defines what it means to be saved.

E.  It defines the meaning of what it means to live in the last days.

F.  It teaches how we are to then live.

G.  Even baptism’s role in the process is fleshed out as an integral part of the metamorphosis.

H.  The second coming, the resurrection, the new heavens and new earth and the whole concept of salvation is enlarged and clarified.

Conclusion:

1.  Where are you in this plan? 2.  Are you marred by idolatry and sin? 3.  Are you renewed, resurrected, in the process of transformation, waiting for the coming of the Lord?  

This series suggested by the study We Become What We Worship, G. K. Beale