By Michael E. Brooks

“Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:21-25)

The preeminent Hindu Temple in Nepal is Pashupattinath, built beside the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. There is one large main temple, but surrounding it are many smaller temples and shrines within the complex. Some of these make up a row of temples to the gods of the animals, each species being seen as divine. The river is lined with burning ghats for the frequent cremations held there so that the ashes of the deceased can be swept into the waters of the river, said by the Hindus to be holy. Interspersed with these ghats are brick and concrete columns, flat on top, which are used to place offerings to the gods. As one walks within the complex it is common to watch the abundant monkeys sitting on these columns eating the sacrifices. Seeing this one wonders, are these the gods receiving the people’s offerings?

One’s view of God is determinative for his self-image and for his understanding of life. When God is reduced to the common or profane, man is also reduced, and life is cheapened. I am no anthropologist or sociologist, but the Bible teaches that it is no coincidence that people who have remained in idolatry, who view God in terms of inanimate images of their own creation, or of animals, plants, or other material things, often themselves fail to achieve a high standard of life. Morally, materially, spiritually – in every way life is debased when God is dishonored.

Paul in Romans attributes this fact to God’s retributive action. He “gave them up to uncleanness.” But it can also be understood in more direct cause – effect terms. The lower people set their sights the lower their achievements. A society’s view of God reflects its world view and its aspirations. God is generally defined as “that than which nothing is higher.” If the highest thing that can be visualized is seen in terms of stone images and monkeys, how great can the goals be? How high an image can such a people have of themselves?

Charles Hodge is fond of saying, “Get God right and everything else falls into place.” That is Biblical, and it also is evidenced by historical experience. People with lofty expectations of their Deity have higher goals for themselves, and are more likely to achieve them. And those people with a true faith in God are most likely of all to achieve abundance. Not just wealth or power, but the true eternal life that can only be received as a gift from the Creator of all things. Only when we return to “the truth of God” can we be freed from uncleanness and depravity and released to claim all the blessings for which God made us.