The beloved physician Luke shared how “Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things. And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul tells the people what to do, “ as we are the offspring of God” where we read:
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
The verse begins, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, ...” Luke began with the words, “forasmuch then” which means “therefore, wherefore, accordingly and consequently” “as we are the offspring” or “even and indeed since and because we, Paul and the people in the world, exist as the stock, tribe, nation and generation” “of God” which means “belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Paul” began to make a conclusion as he referred to the way people are “God's created and cared for” people.
The verse continues, “... we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.” Luke added the words, “we ought not to think” or “we, Paul and all people, should not deem, suppose or regard” “that the Godhead” which means “that the trinity of God which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is like unto gold, silver, or stone” which means “is similar to precious things or images made or stamped of gold, or silver or precious building stones” “graven by art” or “stamped, imprinted or branded through the craft or occupation” “and by man's device” which means “and through and by way of the thoughts and considerations of human beings whether male or female”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “philosophers in Athens” people should not think they could make or form an image of the “Godhead” from precious stones or jewels that are fabricated by men.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” made his appeal to the “philosophers in Athens” about their “idols” which were man-made of precious stones and jewels. God cannot be contained in any man-made object, and although the city of Athens was filled with these images, none of them were true images of God. God exists outside of formed images and buildings, and His desire is to live within people through a relationship with His Son Jesus. Jesus appeared in the world to reveal God to people, and He came to die for the sins of mankind so when they believe and trust in Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who read these words submit themselves to Jesus and never be satisfied with any substituted idol or image that attempts to contain Him.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells the people, “ the times of this ignorance God winked at”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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