Nick Poindexter

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him…
-Romans 1:20-21 (NIV)

Here in the book of Romans, Paul is addressing the an age-old conundrum: What about people who never hear about Jesus? He declares that God has revealed himself to everyone through his creation, specifically his intelligence, power, beauty, and transcendence. This is often referred to as general revelation.

But Paul then goes on to say that despite the evidence right before our eyes, in our pride, we all still reject that basic knowledge of him. Therefore, no one is innocent, everyone needs to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, and his disciples today are charged to spread that message to the ends of the earth.

There’s also another way called special revelation. That’s when God uses miraculous means to show himself. The Bible and Jesus himself fall into this category.

But here’s the thing: If you are a Christian, then YOU are the living, breathing manifestation of the miraculous, life-changing power of Jesus, the Son of God. You’re also part of the special revelation.

So I must ask… What kind of evidence are you? What is your life testifying to?

Paul says that the general revelation of God can be seen through nature. His creation is always pointing others back to God. But for God’s special revelation? That’s you. As a new creation, are you always pointing others back to Christ?

Everyday, people who have responded to God though general revelation are looking at us for the special revelation — Jesus. And it’s our job to be his testimonial. It’s our job to go and tell them about him. That’s the Great Commission.

So Paul says that men are without excuse. And so are we.

Is your life evidence of a Savior who totally, completely, unequivocally transformed you inside-out? Or does your life testify to something else?

You might be the only proof of Jesus that someone ever sees.

[Hezekiah] did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done. He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan.
-2 Kings 18:3-4 (NLT)

Rewind a bit to the book of Numbers… The Israelites are becoming antsy with God and start complaining. God sends poisonous snakes their way, many of which bite and kill the people. They realize their mistake and beg Moses to do something. God then tells him to make a bronze snake, mount it on a pole, and anyone who looks at it will be healed. And it works.

I’m sure this bronze snake on a pole quickly became an important memento, if you will. To the Israelites, it was a constant remembrance of God’s provision, safety and presence.

The problem is, when it makes an appearance again in 2 Kings, the snake means something more to them. Now they are offering sacrifices to it. They even glorify it with a name — Nehushtan. This object that was originally used by God and was a reminder of God, was being worshiped as God. The bronze snake is now an idol.

It’s easy to read this story and mock the Israelites for their silly worship practices, but in reality, we’re just as guilty. Unfortunately there are still “Nehushtans” in the church today. Maybe you’ve heard these impassioned arguments before…

KJV or NIV? Traditional or contemporary? Sunday best or casual? Pews or chairs?

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a certain version of the Bible or certain types of music. In fact, they’re good, wonderful things that steer us toward God. Just like the bronze snake on a pole.

Sadly, people will still fight tooth and nail over these idols. Why? Because like the Israelites, instead of utilizing them to point us to God, they become more important than God himself. Simply, these things were not intended to be worshiped, but rather to guide our worship. The problem is misdirected devotion.

Hezekiah was on to something. For the greater good of God, we all have to do a little housecleaning every now and then. And that may mean destroying some idols in our lives, even those whose beginnings were entirely holy.

It’s always best to smash your Nehushtans.

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Month: September 2010

Without Excuse

Smash Your Nehushtans

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