It’s one of those questions that’s been debated for ages . . . “nature or nurture?” Is what you become a function more of how you are wired or how you are reared? Is it the DNA that has greater influence in how a person turns out or the environment in which that DNA is shaped and directed that really determines a person’s outcome? As I’m reading Psalm 115 this morning, I’m thinking maybe there’s another question to add to the debate . . . that perhaps there’s another dimension to consider . . . the dimension of what someone puts their trust in . . . the dimension of what, or who, someone worships.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:4-8 ESV)

The psalmist’s argument is pretty simple. Trust in something inanimate . . . and you’ll become inanimate. Worship something with no brains . . . your brain will cease to function. Exalt something with no senses . . . no heart . . . and soon you will stop seeing and hearing and feeling. Kind of scary stuff! But doesn’t it ring true?

Love the ways of the world and know you’ll start looking, thinking, and acting like the world. Trust in money and treasures and eventually all life is viewed through a filter of debits and credits . . . value and worth are calculated in dollars and cents. Form sports into an idol and it’s possible that everything becomes a competition . . . that people are divided into one of two camps, winners and losers. Make another person your idol . . . let someone become your god . . . and it becomes about pleasing them . . . and being like them.

But what if God is our god? What if we give glory to the One who is the essence of steadfast love and faithfulness (115:1)? What if our deepest affections are reserved only for Him who made the heavens and earth (115:15) and who resides in the heavens (115:2) and acts, as He pleases, in accordance with His holy being and nature? If that is our god . . . if He is the object of our worship . . . if it is before Him we willingly bow the knee and direct all glory . . . then, if the argument is true, shouldn’t we expect, over time, to take on His character and His nature? I’m thinkin’!

Not that we would think to become gods . . . but that we would expect (and aspire) to become more and more like our God. That, as His children, we would become more like the Father.

That we would be a people marked by steadfast love. A people known for our faithfulness . . . to our Master and to one another. That we would develop, with time and with practice and through the agency of the Spirit within us, a heavenly perspective of life on earth . . . an eternal view of that which seems temporary . . . a God-infused context which drives and directs our day-by-day actions and decision. That we would have the mind of God and imitate our God as we are conformed to the image of His precious Son . . . that when people see us they would see a dim reflection of the God who redeemed us . . . of the God we worship.

Oh, that we, as the people of God, would become what we worship.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory . . . ” (Psalm 115:1a ESV)