Jan. 1 - Worship God Only.

Greetings beloved,

The Bible tells us in the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 4 verses 8 through 11 that, "Again, the devil took Him (Jesus) up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."

The first of the Ten Commandments states, “I am the LORD your God... You shall have no other gods before Me." The devil knew this but he rejected God and His will, so he tried to tempt Jesus in His humanity saying, "Fall down and worship me and I'll give you all these things that you see." For Jesus to bow down before Satan it would have been for Him to acknowledge the devil's lordship. Such a proposition deserved Christ's immediate and direct rebuke. Jesus didn't strike Satan down with a mighty lightning bolt from heaven, but rather He defeated him with the written word of God used by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, a means that is still available to every Christian. Jesus said it, we must worship the LORD our God, and Him only shall we serve. Furthermore it is written, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him" (John 4:23).

The Ten Commandments are still in effect today. They are: (1) worship God only (2) no profanity (3) no idols (4) honor your parents (5) keep Sunday holy (6) no killing (7) no adultery (8) no stealing (9) no lying and (10) no jealousy [Exodus 20:1-17]. We love God and worship Him by keeping his commandments (John 14:15, 21; 15:10). What or whom do you worship these days?

Pray with me... We thank you oh living and eternal King for restoring our souls within us and for loving us enough to sacrifice your only begotten Son on our behalf. Help us to worship you by keeping Your commandments, for Your word says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10). In the name of our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN!

God's blessings to you all,
Fr. Ernest+