I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read, “Do you follow Jesus this close?” The message was clear. Maintain a sure clear distance from the car in front of you.

     The bumper sticker prompted me to consider how closely I follow Jesus. Moreover, am I maintaining a sure clear distance from the gods that many in our culture follow too closely? Sadly, idolatry is as prevalent today as it was during the early years of the Church.

     The Roman emperor, Domitian, insisted that everyone who lived within the borders of the empire address him as “lord and god.” This test of loyalty was a problem for the Christian community. The First and Second Commandments strictly condemn the practice of idolatry.

     Revelation 20:4 indicates that many Christ followers had been beheaded because of their refusal to worship Domitian. Temples of imperial worship were prevalent in the cities where the seven churches described in Revelation 3 and 4 were founded. Despite the negative consequences, Christians continued to follow Jesus closely and refused to bow down to anyone or anything else. Their devotion to Christ was undivided.

     Human beings are inherently programmed to worship. Worship is hardwired into our DNA. Our challenge, however, is that the gods many worship today are so commonplace that they go unrecognized as idols. For some, acceptance by a specific group of people is an idol. For others, their favorite electronic gadget is an idol. Idols can be created out of our favorite sports team, our checkbook, our aspirations, and even our families.

     None of these items or entities are inherently bad. However, God insists that we maintain a set of healthy boundaries with them. Not allowing enough leeway can lead us into idolatry before we realize what is happening. In fact, we may be following too closely when the golf course or the mall or our child’s travel team take precedence over Sunday morning worship. God is a jealous God and demands that we place no other gods before Him.

     So, the next time you fail to leave enough margin between your bumper and the vehicle in front you, it may be a good time for you to back away and consider, “Am I following Jesus this closely?”