Devotion to Nothing

Acts 17:19-23

Message No. 0780 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

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No one intentionally plans to devote time to things that do not matter, but we see people do the same everyday. People are sincerely devoted to gods they don’t know, and even when it is apparent that there are no results in what they are doing, they continue in their paths because they do not know any better. In this week’s writing, we examine people who are sincerely devoted to nothing. God bless you as you read!

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I watched the documentary of Bob Marley, the great and indisputable Reggae music king. Marley was a devout Rastafarian, professing Jah, as God, but tragically believing that Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was His incarnation or the second coming of Jesus Christ. Listening to his music, no one is in doubt that he was deeply spiritual. He quoted the Bible in many of his songs and drew parallels between the Holy Book and the prevailing society of his days. Unfortunately, in all of his sincerity and believing that he was running a good race, the world-acclaimed singer was in fact devoted to nothing.

Nothing could be more tragic than a lifetime of dedication and service that leads to nowhere. In Acts chapter 17, Paul was on one of his missionary journeys, and was preaching to the Greeks in Athens. Just by looking around, it did not take him time to notice that the city was devoted to much idol worship. They were so focused on worshipping what they did not know, that they built an alter and labelled it, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” Paul must have been so mad to see pure sincerity and dedication, all directed toward nothing.

Last week, we examined a subject called The Folly of Idol Worship. How could human beings dedicate their lifetimes bowing down to and worshiping manmade objects that are vividly dead? They cook food and take them to these objects, pouring libations to calves cut in dead woods. The only good thing in all of these is that the birds of the air and the animals of the bush are thankful to find free food to eat, and must be praying daily for more to come.

I have watched on television, people who are so outwardly devoted to the tenets of their beliefs. Some dress in certain ways and others mark their faces and foreheads so it is clear to those who see them what they believe in. They are very defensive of their gods and you must be careful what you say to them or how you look at them, so you don’t incur their wrath. And while is is easy to blame them and criticize them, we must not forget that these people are all sincere; they are only just sincerely wrong.

In Psalm 16:4, the Bible says:

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

It is not enough to talk about those who don’t know the Living God, or those who are clearly wasting their resources on objects that cannot move. Just as Paul sat down and preached to the Athenians about  their UNKNOWN GOD, we who have seen the light ought to speak to and preach to those around us who are in the same conditions. When last have you spoken to someone who is clearly devoted to a god to whom they have no relationships? When last have you shown them the way or pointed them to the right direction? Do you not know that to him who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin? (James 4:17). When will you speak to your friends and people in your community? Do you not know that people are dying daily and those who die without Christ have no hope of eternal life? 

What to Do?

Make a plan to speak to people in your circle about Christ. Everyday they live without giving their lives to the only Saviour is a dangerous and risky day. It’s time for you to speak up.