In Exodus 32, we read where Moses had ascended to the mountain of God, and God was so close with Moses that He would write on two stones ten commandments that were to lead the nation of Israel into a lifestyle of righteousness and consecration before God. While he was gone from the camp of Israel, they convinced Aaron, the High Priest, to give them permission to make gods that they could worship who received credit for delivering them out of Egypt. Aaron asked for the people to break off their golden earrings, as they would fashion it and make a golden calf, one that they glorified through perversion and sin.

There are several facts that you can deduce from this so far. First of all, when you alone in the presence of God, He will consecrate your life in such a spirit of holiness that you cannot help but say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness. When you get alone with God, He will create in you a conscience to discern right from wrong, good from evil. It will not even be a debate within your mind. You will automatically be transformed to be like God and reflect His image to a darkened generation, showing them the love and mercy of God! The purpose of the original Ten Commandments that were written by the very finger of God was to distinguish the children of Israel from the surrounding lands and cultures who were engaged in idolatry. While other false religions glorified their idols through adultery, prostitution, self mutilation, homosexuality and various other sins, the one True God is exalted through people who worship Him in the beauty of His holiness! Today, we have a people who give a lip praise without offering the same praise through their daily life outside of the four walls of the church. They are chameleon Christians, blending in with everything that surrounds them. However, going to church does not make you a Christian just as much as sitting in a garage does not make you are car. It is more than just going to church or even having church, but being the church! As long as we are in the world, we are not called to be like it, but rather influence it in the glory of God, advancing His Kingdom purpose with a Kingdom mindset. Nowadays, people cannot tell whether or not someone does or does not go to church because we have become so comfortable being like the world and allowing the world to infiltrate the church. Sin does not glorify God. Therefore, we must choose to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him to the very place where our flesh will be crucified!

Secondly, by the people’s response to Moses’ disappearance, it is easy to conclude that in every person exists an inner desire to worship a god. Even atheists idolize something, whether it be themselves, the god of reasoning, etc. Whatever consumes your time and thoughts the most will indicate what is most important to you. We all have, or at some time had, a void inside of us to know of a God that is much bigger than us, a Creator who lives beyond this realm. Some people turn to alcohol, pornography, riches, fame, etc. to try to fill that emptiness, but all of these things will eventually result in a greater vanity. Others turn to some kind of religion, many of whom follow the footsteps of their upbringing. It would be hard for someone around here to convert to Islam, just as much as it would be difficult for someone in Iran to convert to Christianity, but that Pentecostal conversion can take place once someone has an upper room experience with the King of Kings! Nevertheless, many religions exist within the world, but there is only one way to heaven, and that answer is Jesus Christ. He is the only God who would manifest Himself in the form of human flesh, fashioning Himself as a humble servant, to pay a debt of sin that we all owed and could never afford to repay in our entire lifetime. Not only did He sacrifice His own life, but three days later He resurrected. It is the reason why at His empty tomb, which belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea, that a sign hangs there saying, “He is not here. He has risen!” If you want to fill that void in your life to know a God in a personal relationship, then try Jesus! He is a friend that sticks closer than any brother, One who will never leave or forsake you!