It’s All About Me

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” ESV Romans 3:20

Last week’s article asked the question: What does God demand? The answer, from the Gospel of Matthew, was that we are to love God with all of heart, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves. How does the reality of our lives compare to commands of God?

I had an opportunity this past week to read about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. You know the story, but let me point out a few similarities to our society. In Genesis 9, God had commanded the survivors of the great flood to “multiply and fill the earth” and again to “teem on the earth and multiply in it.” Now, any way I read it, I get the impression that God is telling them to scatter about the earth; as in the whole earth. But when you come to Genesis 11, you’ll find the people all congregated together, living large and comfortably on the plain of Shinar; one big happy family.

The text goes on the say that not only had they settled in this land, but that they also desired to make a name for themselves by building a tall tower reaching into the heavens. They justified the goal and building project by suggesting that such a creation would prevent them from being “dispersed over the face of the earth.” Do you see any contradictions emerging here? The desires of mankind were directly contrary to God’s commands; contrary to God’s Law. Now I ask you, is it really any different today or are the natural desires of man contrary to God’s commands found in Matthew?

Isn’t it amazing how timeless the Bible is? The same issues were present in Rome during the Apostle Paul’s time. And in our text today, he points out that knowledge of God’s Law doesn’t bring us closer to God. No, the knowledge of God’s commands only brings to light the sins for which we are guilty. In other words, knowledge of God’s commands reveals just how self centered we really are! Admittedly, such knowledge should bring about a remorseful and repentant attitude, but that’s certainly not always the case.

No, our generation seems intent on satisfying personal desires without regards to God’s commands. We truly do live in an age whose motto could be: It’s all about me. The same attitude was prevalent in Paul’s day, that’s why he goes on to say in verse 23 that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned and our sin separates us from God. Honestly ask yourself, is my life 100% God-centered and not the least bit self-centered?

So what is the answer? If God commands one thing while we pursue contrary desires, something has to give or we’ll find ourselves eternally separated from God. More on this next week…

Ken worships at Tharptown Baptist Church in Russellville where he leads an adult Bible study. Comments are welcome and may be sent to kenaskew@charter.net.