No easy escape from false worship

As in his commentaries, Calvin is addressing the great lie of his time, false worship of images and service offered to false gods in the Roman Catholic church. I can have a tendency to read across those lines lightly since I'm not a part of that group. But I am still in this world and have as much or an even greater tendency to erect my own idols, images and false gods. I have been guilty of "render[ing] honor to God alone [with my lips], but undergo[ing] servitude for the others."

Simply not being among the primary targets at which Calvin aims is not a reason to wipe my brow and breath a sigh of relief, for there is no easy escape from this mad tendency of my corrupt heart. May God grant much grace in this day to render unto him not only honor, but service, as well. I am not tempted to give the nod to an image or a relic, but I am drawn to serve my selfish desires and my craving for recognition.

How good and merciful is our Father, remembering that we are made of the dust, to call us away from such and then also to give us his Word, illumined and empowered by His own Spirit to effectively change us? Thanks be unto God!