We are stuck in a dangerous time today. It is dangerous because there are people constantly telling us how good we are. These people are telling us how much value and worth we have in this society. We are told to demand a better way for us, and to think positive thoughts about ourselves. I hate to break the news to you, but we are not basically good. We have no value, except for the value God placed on us when He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place. Now, there is great value in that, but there is nothing in and of ourselves that we can boast in.
Look what your Bible says about you … “God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 53:2-3). Not very pretty compared to what we are hearing today in our world. My real fear for you is that this kind of thinking has spread dramatically into our churches today. There are many churches you can choose from that will not speak plainly and clearly about our sinful condition as expressed in Psalm 53.
We are told how good we are and how valuable we are even in our churches. I especially notice it in some of the new praise/worship songs that are being sung. The words in one of these songs that I heard for the first time a few years ago really touched my heart. It was talking about how things in our world today are not about us, but all about Him. I thought about how true that really is. We tend to yearn to draw the attention for what God does to us rather than reflecting it to Him. I remember being drawn into the truth of the words, only to be disappointed with the actions of the singers who were singing the song. Every one of them was doing all they could to draw attention to themselves! The exact opposite of what they were singing.
I don’t mean to be judgmental, but I am telling you that this is the problem I face today, and probably you too (if you are honest with yourself). We want the praise of men, even in church. The harsh reality is that there is none that doeth good here on this earth. There is not even one of us that would seek God on our own. I am thankful for the work the Holy Spirit is doing in my life today to draw me to consider my Heavenly Father! I need Him even to get me to the place that I will truly worship Him. Trust Him today, and ask Him to draw you into a more intimate relationship with Him today.