There Is Only One God

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another..." (Isaiah 42:8 KJV)

Over the past several days I have been studying the pride of Lucifer. Before there was sin in the Garden, before there was rebellion among men, there was rebellion in heaven.

Lucifer looked upon himself and said in his heart:

"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14 KJV)

Notice the five "I wills." Pride was the first sin. Lucifer was not content to serve God; he wanted to replace God.

That same spirit has never left this world.

When Satan came to Eve in the Garden, he offered her the very same temptation that had caused his own downfall.

"Ye shall be as gods." (Genesis 3:5 KJV)

The lie has not changed.

Man still wants to be his own god.

Governments want to be gods.

Kings want to be gods.

Religious leaders want to be gods.

And sometimes people are willing to make gods out of men.

Recently I read statements where political leaders were being described as "next to God" or spoken of in language that borders on worship. As I read those words, my heart became troubled.

I do not care whether the person is a Republican, Democrat, Independent, king, president, preacher, pope, or prophet. No man belongs next to God.

There is only one God.

The Christian faith is built upon the truth that Jesus Christ alone is Lord.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 KJV)

No president died for our sins.

No politician shed his blood on Calvary.

No government rose from the grave.

No earthly leader sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints.

Only Jesus.

As a country preacher, I have watched Christians become so attached to political leaders that they defend them more passionately than they defend Scripture. Some know more about campaign speeches than they do the Word of God.

That should concern every believer.

God has used kings, rulers, and governments throughout history. He used Cyrus, a Persian king, to help restore Israel. He used Nebuchadnezzar to chastise Judah. He used Roman roads to spread the Gospel.

God can use any leader He chooses.

But being used by God is not the same as being godly.

And it certainly is not the same as being divine.

The danger comes when Christians begin to place their faith in men rather than in God.

Jeremiah warned:

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm." (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV)

Our hope is not in Washington.

Our hope is not in Congress.

Our hope is not in political parties.

Our hope is not in elections.

Our hope is in Christ alone.

I have lived long enough to watch presidents come and go. Some promised prosperity. Some promised peace. Some promised to save America. Yet every one of them eventually left office.

But Jesus remains.

The same Jesus who walked the shores of Galilee still reigns today.

The same Jesus who calmed the storm still reigns today.

The same Jesus who rose from the grave still reigns today.

The same Jesus who is coming again still reigns today.

The devil would love for Christians to become so distracted by earthly kingdoms that they forget the Kingdom of God.

He would love for us to put crowns on men while ignoring the King of Kings.

Brothers and sisters, let us be careful.

Support leaders if your conscience permits.

Vote according to biblical conviction.

Pray for those in authority.

Honor whom honor is due.

But worship only God.

The moment we begin speaking of men in terms that belong only to Christ, we step onto dangerous ground.

Lucifer fell because he wanted the glory that belonged to God.

Let us never give to men the glory that belongs to Christ alone.

"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10 KJV)

And that settles the matter.

Amen.