Ephesians 5:1-5

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Idolater begins with the proper letter. In fact, that letter defines the word exactly. An idolater is someone who puts himself first, who is in love with himself. Everything is I, I, I; me, me, me. An idolater is someone who, as Paul says, is greedy, someone who wants everything for himself even at the expense of everyone else. To be sure, there is no place in heaven, or on earth for that matter, for such a person.

And yet we are all idolaters in a way. We all put ourselves first, think of ourselves first, look out for ourselves first. Number One is always Number One. That is as it should be because it is the self that loves as well as hates, shares as well as is greedy. The problem comes when everyone else becomes a distant Number Two, if that. When all we are concerned about is ourselves, then there is no place for us because no one wants us around nor wants to be around us.

That is why Paul reminds us that our example is God, Love Absolute. Now I will grant that God is an awfully difficult role model, someone to live up to and look up to. In fact, God is an impossible role model. But like all role models, we want someone whose example we must strive to reach. Role models are not equals or near-equals. Just because I will never come close to loving as God does does not mean that I should strive for anything less. That would be taking the easy way out.

That would also allow us to excuse our failings and shortcomings. “I’m not God. So what did you expect?” we cry as we try to excuse our guilt. The truth of the matter is that I use that being-unable-to-love-like-God as an excuse for loving less, for being selfish, for being greedy, for being -- dare I say it? -- being an idolater. That is not a pleasant thought, but it is one that I must reflect on if I want to be true to my faith.

The temptations are always going to be there to think of myself and my wants first and foremost, even to the exclusion of everyone else and the real needs of others. There will also be many times when I give into those temptations and become very idolatrous, very self-loving rather than being like God, other-loving. The saving grace is that God always forgives and calls me back to become Godlike in my loving of God, of others and even of myself.

I pray: Lord, help me to think first of others today and not first about myself. Help me to see you in them, to love you in them, to serve you in them. I know it will not always be easy but I know you will be with me with your grace. Thank you. Amen.