One of the things that I love about my house is that it's in the country. Of course, it's also one of the things I hate about my home. Some days I appreciate our small town's quiet, peaceful way of life. On other days I resent that we have to drive so far to get everywhere.
If I want groceries, I have to travel.
When I want to go to my chiropractor, it's a 45-minute drive.
Even our church is almost an hour away.
Still, this is the home God has provided, so we are thankful, and we drive and drive and drive and drive.
Most of the time, we take the same route…down a long valley, through another small town, and onto a highway. Every time we take this route, we always do the same thing when we drive past a little house on the corner…we take a moment to pray.
Why? Because several years ago, we drove past this house on one of the hottest days of the year. While we were chillin' in the A/C, a woman dressed in a full burka was praying to her god.
This absolutely broke my heart because she was so dedicated, yet all of her dedication was useless.
The god she was worshipping is not a real god at all. Her religion will get her nowhere. Just like all of the people who have served idols and followed other religions throughout time, her efforts are useless.
What could be sadder?
So every time we drive past her house, we pray that she will come to know the One True God, accept Jesus as her Savior, and develop a personal relationship with Him.
Now, yes, I know, we live in a world where the popular thing to do is say, "You can serve whatever god you want. As long as you have faith in a higher power and are a good person, it's good."
Our society, and even many who call themselves Christians, have fallen for the lie that all religions are the same. They say all roads lead to Heaven.
However, this is not true.
The Bible is very clear: there is only One True God—the God of the Bible.
This is one of the fundamental truths that we must build our lives on.
Everything else that calls itself "god" is simply man-made and worthless. As it says in Isaiah 44:6-20:
“This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me?
Let him step forward and prove to you his power.Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
How foolish are those who manufacture idols.
These prized objects are really worthless.
The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame.Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that cannot help him one bit?
All who worship idols will be disgraced along with all these craftsmen—mere humans—who claim they can make a god.They may all stand together, but they will stand in terror and shame.
The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, pounding and shaping it with all his might.His work makes him hungry and weak. It makes him thirsty and faint.
Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it.He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure.
He gives it human beauty and puts it in a little shrine.
He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the pine in the forest to be nourished by the rain.
Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire.
With it he warms himself and bakes his bread.
Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship!
He makes an idol and bows down in front of it!
He burns part of the tree to roast his meatand to keep himself warm.
He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.” Then he takes what’s left and makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down in front of it, worshiping and praying to it.“Rescue me!” he says.“You are my god!”
Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.
The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood!I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god?
Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?”
The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
Still, the problem continues through time. Humans pursue the worship of many gods, deities, and religions that are simply the invention of other human beings rather than acknowledge that there is only One True God. They continue to waste their time, energy and jeopardize their eternity serving other religions and worshiping false gods.
Today, more than ever, we need men and women of God to stand firm in their faith and declare, "There is only One True God—the God of the Bible."
As it says in Deuteronomy 4:39: "To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other."
Again, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 says, "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "Lords"— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
There's no room for wavering on this. This is one of the fundamental truths that followers of Christ base their lives on.
It's why we accept Jesus as our Savior.
It's why we learn God's Word.
It's why we live by the principles of God's Word.
It's why we worship, why we witness, and why we do all that we can to reach other people for Jesus.
Because there aren't "many roads" to Heaven.
There is One God and one road to salvation through God's Son, Jesus Christ. Those who accept Him as their personal Savior will be forgiven of their sins and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
Sad as it is, those who reject this truth and follow other gods will spend eternity apart from God in everlasting punishment.
That's why this is so important. It's the core of all that we believe.
As women of God, this needs to challenge us in two directions.
First, we need to reject all forms of participating in idol worship or following false religions.
Second, it needs to fuel our passion for evangelism--so everyone will come to know the One True God and spend eternity with Him.
There's no room for wavering, doubt, or discussion. Women of God need to believe this truth in the core of their being and allow this conviction to influence every area of their lives.
We need to be women who are willing to stand firm in this conviction and lead their families, their friends, their communities, and even misguided souls in their churches away from false gods and participating in false religions and into the truth that there is One True God.
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry."
