Is Jesus Worship Idolatry?

In life, one is faced with complex questions - be it earthly or spiritually. There is one topic that I have particular exception with, but I rarely openly discus... until now.

Jesus Worship

Does Modern Christianity have it all wrong?

The question stems from a recent discussion between a reader/blogger and myself - but I have had this very discussion with friends, family, acquaintances, and even sidewalk evangelicals... And it ultimately stems from the belief that Jesus is God - and anyone who does not accept Jesus as God is therefore forsaken.

I challenge that Jesus (Yashuah), himself, would reject such an idea - and would reject worship to him.

NOTE: Anyone who comments on this post - I ask that you start by stating your religious preference (church) to allow context of comments. (this is a KTRACY.COM rule)

John, in Rev 19:10, made the mistake of worshipping an angel of the Holy Spirit. The angel's response: "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship YHWH! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The angels revelation to John states that to follow Jesus' testimony is to worship YHWH (not Jesus - simply follow in his teachings).

Jesus himself rejected worship of anyone besides YHWH, when Satan (a spiritual son of YHWH – as we are all his children) wished to be worshipped – Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8 – “Worship and serve our Father YHWH only “. Jesus claimed before the Priests that he was the Son of YHWH, not God Himself…(Matthew 26:64). As well, the testimony of Christ to the rich man indicated that there is only One who is good, Father YHWH, and you shall follow his commandments (Matthew 19:17).

Based on these teachings, the words of Christ himself, I find it peculiar that modern Christianity (let’s say Catholicism) prays to Saints, sets up shrine to oil stains resembling the Virgin Mother or the Messiah, and humbles themselves before engraved images of the Christ on the Cross… This is in direct contradiction to the commandments, which in Exodus 20:3-5 state that there shall be no God before YHWH, and that no engraved images of shall be made of anything on earth or in heaven, and we shall not bow down and worship those images… AND, Jesus, when asked about the most important Commandment stated in Mark 12:29 “People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God”

The stipulation, as I indicated above, is that Modern Christianity observes Jesus and God as One through the Holy Spirit. This is what I have conflict with (as with the worshipping of engraved images). In accepting Jesus as a teacher and prophet, it does not mean that I am rejecting him as Savior – more accurately I follow his teachings of praise to YHWH, and rejecting praise to others within the Holy Spirit… Does accepting Jesus as Saviour necessitate that I accept Jesus as God? The answer is NO. It has to be no. Jesus himself clarified that there is one God, Father YHWH, and that all praise belongs to Him... even after the resurrection, Jesus was conducting the Will of God - and as indicated by Jesus, he would take seat at the right hand of God - not that he was God.

We are all free to worship as we interpret. This blog post is a call for discussion on the fundamentals of Christianity, and how modern Christians understand the belief that Jesus is God when Jesus himself denied this charge.

Personally, I have accepted the teachings of Yashuah as the Word of YHWH, that he is the Saviour of men through his sacrifice in that he taught the world the Love of YHWH... but I refuse to worship anyone but YHWH. Halleluyah - live in praise to YHWH.