"Likeness of the Image"

"Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass." (Psalms 106:20)

 I'm sorry, but can you see the result of what idols do? This word 'similitude' is a word that means model, as in, according to which anything is made. You connect the dots, because this is not really something that you can know without looking upon with your own heart; which is why God says in His word, "Come, let us reason together." This is as personal as personal gets! The very next verse in Paul's letter, he says, "I speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say;" or as in the NLT, "You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true." This is something that we must decide on our own, as it is with any other life changing matter, it is not something you learn to do, it is something that is birthed in you from revelation, understanding, and acceptance. When I look at this verse, I see the vast difference between those that believe in the Creator and those that do not. It is actually the easiest way to show the meaning of that word "glory," a word that means abundance, riches, weight, honor, and dignity. Those that do not believe in the Creator, (who is the God that made heaven and earth, the God that formed man into His own image, and the God who gives us life, and gives us life eternal,) they are without hope, without purpose, and without glory. Simply put, this life is all that there is to them, and just like the ox mentioned above, that eateth grass, their life is wasted and devoured by that which has no life within itself. That is what we see here: the grass is pretty much a green herb, or tender shoot; something that is plucked up, withers, and dies; something that is as fleeing as life itself. It is a picture of being consumed by that which is consumed; temporary by that which is temporary; meaningless by that which is meaningless. In a sense, that is what idols do, they cause us to change all the dignity, worth, and abundance that comes from worshipping the God who created us, for the meaningless, temporary, and consumed life that comes from worshipping idols. In a nutshell, we become that which we worship...

"For every since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can see his invisible qualities -his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen." (Romans 1:20-25) NLT