In writing to Christians at Corinth in the first century the Apostle Paul pointed out, "we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many)  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1Corinthians 8:4-6). 

In America’s present infatuation with anything but Christianity as revealed in the Bible, we need to return to the basics as specified in the Gospel.  The God of the Bible is described as the one true and living God.  He is the God that created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), as Jeremiah stated the case: "But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens.” (Jeremiah 10:10-12 ASV)

With the spread of Christianity, "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth” (Jeremiah 10:11) did perish in Europe and America.  In America, polytheism and the idolatry that accompanied it disappeared.  It died in the African culture brought to our shores as slaves.  It disappeared in the native Indian cultures found here by the founding fathers.  Why anyone would encourage the resurrection of these pagan superstitions is beyond rational explanation.  However, as irrational as it sounds, there is a concerted effort to destroy the very foundations of America and anything that smacks of Christianity.

The one lord and master of the Christian is Christ. In the very first letter or epistle (addressed to gentile Christians), the apostle Paul pointed out the essence of the gospel message.  He noted the Thessalonians had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And  to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).  It involved: (1) turning away from the superstition of idolatry; (2) serving the true and living God; (3) wait for His son Jesus; and (4) deliverance from the wrath (read: final judgment) to come.

The Judgment or "wrath to come” is the basic reason for the Gospel (Romans 1:16-18) as well as Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins.  Not only is he the author of salvation "unto all that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9), but "he will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30-31) on that last day!

Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK