For Profit, Not Pride

The Lord who struck Egypt, humbled Philistia, and exposed Jerusalem is not to be handled lightly. His mighty acts are not stories for admiration only, but warnings against false worship, presumption, and fattened disobedience. The Philistines learned, however dimly, that God is not like their idols, a thing to be moved and tested at human pleasure. As Cyprian says, “the idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.” But the living God acts, judges, remembers His covenant, and will not share His glory.

Psalm 135 calls us to praise this God precisely because He is living and free, doing whatever pleases Him in heaven and earth. Ezekiel shows what happens when a people who were chosen and adorned by God grow proud, unclean, and ungrateful. Jerusalem did not fall by ignorance alone, but by despising mercy. Sodom is remembered there not only for open wickedness, but for fullness, ease, and neglect. Therefore let no one boast in privileges—neither temple, nor history, nor gifts.

For even in the Church, the Spirit’s gifts are not ornaments for vanity. They are given for service, order, and the common good. Gregory Thaumaturgus says, “but all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” If the gift is from Him, then no member may exalt himself, and no member may refuse his duty. The tongue must confess Jesus as Lord; the hands must serve His body; the strong must bear the weak.

So let us cast away dumb idols, whether carved images or the subtler worship of ease, appetite, and honor. Let praise be joined to obedience, and grace to repentance.