God as God

Hi all,

Here's a new perspective on idolatory!
Most of us know the vernacular regarding idolatory: anything we set before God/anything we position in God's deserved position in our lives amounts to idolatory...
Is it any possible to commit this heinous act in the process of WORSHIPPING or SERVING God?
It can be! Here's how:

1) We reduce God to an image of what He not ENTIRELY is.
Often, we have filtered/watered-down perspectives of who God is. E.g. Ours is a God who tolerates seemingly harmless activity like clubbing/pubbing; when actually our God is someone who is ultimately holy (set apart), and pure. (Therefore he detests activity that would cast a slur on our identities as His children)

2) We process our obedience to God into more palatable pieces!
King Saul struggled with this aspect of idolatory when he took it upon himself to decide what pleased God rather than to obey God's commandments. 1 Samuel 15:10-23. Sometimes we mould God into a sugar daddy or Mr Nice Guy when our obedience or rather disobedience is in question. Isn't this making ourselves an image of God that is incorrect and therefore diminishing His character? (Idolatory liao lors!) Grace and mercy is truly amazing, but God is not only a God of grace and mercy (He is one of righteous anger and Godly jealousy and awesome justice etc. as well)

3) We set him on the walls of our hearts as a figurehead/image rather than someone who is living and active and relational!
We often sing songs and worship and learn about God everyday, but not all of us are filled with His almighty presence as we live out life daily. Come on! I mean if God promised His spirit and Jesus promised to be with us till the end of time, shouldn't there be at least a sense of companionship or a hint of presence in life's moments? People often complain that the Lord is far from them. True, sin seperates us from God. But other times, it's our understanding of who God is and how God works and presents Himself that determines our intimacy with God. Getting this wrong can translate into worshipping and fellowship-ing with a block. idolatory again.

Well the list goes on and I'm tired of listing all my failings here!
The standards have always been this high. I can't help but feel inadequate everytime I take apart His commandments and really magnify His teachings to reflect God's instructions for and expectations of me.
I guess I'll see you all at the cross.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Ben