What are You Still Holding?

"They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven." — 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10

You turned to God from idols.

When you hear "idols," what do you picture? Stone statues? Golden calves? Ancient temples? That's what the early church dealt with. They literally walked away from shrines dedicated to false gods. They turned from physical idols to serve the living God.

But let me ask you: What are your idols?

You don't have a statue of Baal in your living room. You're not bowing to a golden calf. But that doesn't mean you don't have idols.

An idol is anything that takes God's place in your life. Anything you trust more than Him. Anything you love more than Him. Anything you serve more than Him. Anything you fear losing more than you fear losing Him.

What is it for you? Your career? Your comfort? Your reputation? Your bank account? Your relationship status? Your kids' success? Your appearance? Your social media following?
Here's how you know something has become an idol: When it's threatened, you panic. When it's criticized, you get defensive. When you lose it, you're devastated. When you have to choose between it and God, you hesitate.

The early church didn't just add Jesus to their collection of gods. They turned from idols. They walked away. They made a choice. It's one thing or the other. You can't serve God and idols.

And here's what they turned to: "To serve the living and true God." Not a dead religion. Not empty rituals. Not a powerless philosophy. The living and true God.

So let me ask you directly: What do you need to turn from? What's still sitting on the throne of your heart where only God belongs? What are you holding onto that you need to release?

You can't turn to God fully until you turn from your idols. You know what they are. God knows what they are. Are you willing to let them go?

Serve the living and true God. Not the dead substitutes.