It is impossible to deny the abundant and glaringly innate nature of man to be inward focused, disregarding and forsaking all others. We were selflessly created by a loving God only to arrogantly insist that we are without need apart from ourselves. What good have we done ourselves by scorning God? What good have we done for God?
...every intention of the thoughts of his (mankind's) heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Gen 6: 5-6)
How great is God's affection for us and desire for relationship with us that our actions would grieve Him to the point of being sorry He ever created us.
Apart from Christ we are simply idolaters. Every man and woman since creation has willfully- knowingly or ignorantly- worshiped someone or something other than Creator God. Those who deny this are self-deceived and perhaps the most idolatrous of all.
There is also the reality that this behavior lives and thrives within the Church. There is a popular 'theology' floating around in many evangelical circles today that teaches impressionable believers that God's sole purpose in our lives is to make example of His love by making us healthy and wealthy. If this is God's will for our lives it would be completely antithetical to His nature. Instead of pointing us towards Him we would be literally forced into an inwardly focused life. This is completely contradictory to everything Scripture teaches us about the character of God and His will for us.
Christ saved us so that no one could boast (Eph 2:8-9). We were chosen despite our depravity and loved without any merit of our own. What is there to boast in when without Christ we are spiritually dead? (Eph 2:1-3)
It was by His grace (2 Tim 1:9) and mercy we were called to faith and salvation.
If this is true how gracious and loving is our God! How can we not only serve and worship Him? How can we continue to follow after the selfishness of our hearts when He holds so much promise?
Our idolatrous hearts benefit only ourselves. Are we that selfish?
c.
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