Graven Images

Exodus 20:4 tells us that "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:" (KJV).

No doubt we live in a culture driven by image. One website indicates that last year some $62.46 billion U.S. dollars was spent on cosmetics. Another website cited the 2016 revenue for pornography was $13.33 billion dollars. Think of the many reality shows and competitions on television promising people they will be the next greatest musician or entertainer.

We have an innate desire to worship God. However, as fallen creatures, worship can easily be turned downward and inward so that an individual's talent is the primary focus.

And that is the problem with images. Since an image is only a mere representation or likeness, it lacks true substance. How many recording artists change their image to appear relevant but their real character continues to degrade often ending in a tragic death.

The other problem with images is the issue of sameness. We are often drawn to something familiar and comfortable even though the image in itself seems opposite of what we think or feel about ourselves.

When we construct such a mental image we become blind to our God given abilities and strengths. We undermine our potential for what seems to be a more perfect representation of something more attractive and desirable. Apostle Paul said it very well when speaking about his call and position in the community of believers. He smashed any impression they built in their imagination when he said "...by the grace of God I am what I am..." (I Corinthians 15:10).

Images will always be false and faulty because they are an impression of our ever changing desires. In contrast, true worship of God requires us to worship in the Spirit of truth. We can not see God so we must perceive Him by faith which is why He mandated that no graven image be constructed. God was not to be worshipped by something man manipulated into a palpable image. God is Other and is never confined by human imagination.

I believe this is the key to dismantling a graven (impressed) image...we must be authentic and real as shaped by God's grace. His grace is always sufficient when we are deficient.

Beloved, we have this promise in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that says, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

It's not us shaping ourselves into some glamorous image but Christ the great Potter molding us into His glorious image!