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Can We Get Meaning and Purpose out of Life by Being a Good Person?

Those who attempt to get meaning, purpose and satisfaction out of life by being a good person will be sadly disappointed. If we want justice in the world we ought to be careful what we wish for, because more often than not, the injustice is our own. The problem with the world is not simply "out there" but it starts with me. When we discover the truth about ourselves and our moral failures, our first reaction is often to redouble our efforts and pledge to to do better. While this can be good on the surface, the problem runs much deeper than that... a problem in our nature. Because, in the end, we won't do better. And we all know it.

Let me explain. When we look at the Ten Commandments honestly, we all fail miserably at it. Have I personally ever stole anything, or lied, or lusted, or been angry at my brother, coveted or taken the Lord's name in vain? For me it is yes to all of the above. Which makes me a lying, blaspheming thief who wants to take more than I give. I am guilty of all of the above. My resolution to do better, while good, is a recipe for failure because deep down, in my own nature, apart from grace, I am depraved. The problem is bigger than myself. Just do a personal inventory/diagnostic by going through the Ten Commandments (and the Sermon on the Mount - Matt.5-7) yourself. Have you broken any of these laws? Can you obey them and love your neighbor as your ought by simply resolving to do so? I have yet to meet anyone who has, or can.

That is why those who spend all their efforts in politics or promoting good laws are only putting a band-aid solution on a problem that is much deeper. There is no utopia here. No amount of laws will bring it about. Don't get me wrong, I applaud efforts and making just laws. But, by themselves, these fail to recognize that laws and outward resolutions do not solve the problem of corrupt human nature and will only bring us back to where we started from. Why do we need laws to begin with and why do we think it wise to have a balance of power? Because we all know, deep down, that giving any person or group that much power, no matter how good they appear to be, is a recipe for disaster. Humans have developed great technology and improvements to life, but have not improved their own corrupt, unjust nature, even a little.

This is why obeying God's commands will never be enough to please God. If you want justice and want God to repay you for your deeds, you will be in for a rude surprise when you get it. You do not want justice. No, you want mercy. Jesus did not come to gather those worthy of life, because there is no one who fits that description. No, He came down for sinners, for those who do not deserve it, for corrupt people, like me, who justly deserve His displeasure. If he only loved those who were worthy, we would all be deeply in trouble. But so justice would not fall on us all, God became a human being to bear the burden of sin for all depraved people like me, who trust in Him. He takes ill-deserving people and not only forgives their sins but adopts them into His family and gives them a seat at His table. Praise the Lord.

Sat, 11/09/2019 - 12:48 -- john_hendryx

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