Not Gods


Act 14:15  "What do you think you're doing! We're not gods! We are men just like 

	you, and we're here to bring you the Message, to persuade you to abandon 

	these silly god-superstitions and embrace God himself, the living God. We 

	don't make God; he makes us, and all of this--sky, earth, sea, and 

	everything in them. 



	Maybe it wouldn't have hurt to just let them do a little celebrating, just 

for publicity's sake? It was pretty amazing how the crippled man was totally 

healed and walking around like he'd been walking his whole life. They weren't 

exactly gods like the people thought they were, but hadn't God said something in 

the Psalms about being "gods"?(Ps. 82:6) Surely all this exposure could just be 

turned to further their ministry and open up many more doors. Can you imagine 

today if this scene could have just been captured on video and broadcast on one 

of the news specials? There would surely have been plenty of opportunities for 

the apostle's picture to be seen, and for so many more to gain access to the 

influence of his ministry. He could maybe even have started his own show, all 

for the furtherance of the kingdom of course. 


	We don't necessarily live in a society where other gods with names and 

personalities are worshiped and feared, but there is this natural human tendency 

to ascribe superior status of some kind to those who operate in certain gifts. 

Athletes especially are given not just praise and recognition, but incredibly 

exorbitant paychecks because of their superior abilities. People in business and 

entertainment are also made to be almost god-like as their success sets them 

apart from the "normal" person. In the church there can also be a rise to 

recognition and compensation by certain individuals as there is a display of 

gifts that set certain people apart for their revelation or spiritual endowment. 

It can be perceived that the occurrence of a miracle or other demonstration of 

God's power is something that was specifically made to take place by the will 

and design of the minister. Somehow God is given definition and existence 

because of the special inspiration and initiative of this wonderful person. In 

observing this exaltation, there can also be a nurtured desire in followers to 

be like this person and become a "spiritual giant" like him. There is this 

direct association made between the superior existence of the "man of god" and 

the demonstration of God's power and revelation.  


	There is no doubt that there will be evidence of the powerful presence of 

God in the life of one who is continually honoring Him and proclaiming the 

message of His goodness. (Acts 14:3...God corroborating their work with miracles 

and wonders.) We can expect God to show himself strong in our lives on a daily 

basis as we keep the focus of our hearts on him. There may even be opportunities 

for recognition to be given as verification of our superior spiritual status. I 

really like what Paul says here in Acts 14:15, though. He places himself on the 

same level as those to whom he is speaking as if the only thing setting him 

apart is the God he serves. Instead of accepting and encouraging his own 

exaltation, the focus is taken off of his involvement altogether and God is 

given credit for making all things. Talking about what God has done instead of 

what he himself has done, he encourages them to leave their worship of dead gods 

and embrace his living God. In not allowing his own recognition to be the focus, 

he actually gives them direct access to the true source of life in Christ. 

Instead of getting caught up in Paul's status they are made able to get caught 

up in God and experience the power of His presence for themselves. 


	There is for us a continual ascribing of glory and honor to the only One 

who truly makes all things. Never in this progression of His involvement in our 

lives will there be a place for us in the position of honor or recognition. As 

soon as there is a place made for us, there is an interruption of any progress, 

because no flesh can glory in His presence. (ICor. 1:29) His purpose will always 

be compromised in our lives as soon as our purpose includes self-recognition. As 

all praise, honor, glory and recognition is diverted to Him, however, there will 

not only be further demonstration of His power in our lives, but there will be a 

way made for all those who observe to look to Him also, and find in Him an 

experience of abundant life for themselves. Uninhibited by the obstruction of 

our image, there will be clear vision of His glory, and real change will come by 

the Spirit of the Lord. 
	


5/17/04w