Introductory Thoughts
The Bible testifies of what can happen when men steal the glory that belongs only to the Lord. In the book of Acts, king Herod shows the life-threatening nature of this sin as he usurped the glory belonging to God (Acts 12:21-23). Nebuchadnezzar is another leader who suffered terribly for this very same thing (Daniel 4:30-33). Man and God are not co-equal in any matter. In every way, God is greater than man (Isaiah 55:8-9). A man would have to be a thief of God’s glory to claim equality with God. This aspect of Christ’s life and His claims as the Son of God are the very causes for which the religious leaders sought to put the Lord to death (John 10:30-33). Yet, the Bible informs us that the Lord Jesus “thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6). Why not? It was because Jesus Christ was and is God (John 1:1, 14). In spite of who and what He is, Christ Jesus “made himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7).
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Satan tried to rob God of His position and His worship (Isaiah 14:12-15). Man does the same thing (Isaiah 47:10-11; Ezekiel 28:1-10). Matthew 1:23 proves Jesus is to be worshipped. Note a few examples: Matthew 2:11; Matthew 8:2; John 9:38.
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(For everyone): How terrible a sin would it be for a man to claim to be one with the Father? Why was it a righteous claim for the Lord Jesus to say He was one with the Father?
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Robbery is to take something that does not belong to you. What are some ways in which men can and do rob God? What kind of consequences might someone have to suffer for robbing God?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to give you an awareness of the dangers of robbing Him.
- Thank the Lord for sending His Son to die for you.
Song
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
