Four Ways to 'Be'

I gave some thought last week to the ways we can exist in this world and what the Bible says about it. I had the opportunity to teach about it at The Bridge Church of Belgrade, Montana recently. The first four chapters of the book of Romans each express a certain way we can choose to exist as human ‘beings’. They are:

Romans 1 – Indulging ourselves

Romans 2 – Comparing ourselves to others

Romans 3 – Trying to save ourselves

Romans 4 – Trusting ourselves to God and loving people

Indulging Ourselves
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. ---Romans 1:29-32

These activities are actions flowing from worldly motivations. Worldliness is defined as the “lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life,” (1 John 2:16). Lust of the eyes is materialism. It’s living to accumulate more and better things. Lust of the flesh is sensual. It is living to feel physical pleasure. The pride of life is living for the applause and accolades of others. These motivations are in opposition to God’s intention for our lives, but it cannot be denied that they pervade our culture and media and are destructive to meaningful relationships. All of these motivations are powerful, but their pursuit ALWAYS leaves a person empty and lonely. They are like clouds over the desert of our lives that produce no rain.

Comparing Ourselves

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ---Romans 2:1

The expression of this mode of existence is condemnation. It is seen in the condemnation of others, or shame heaped upon oneself. Either way, it shrivels our souls and is destructive to meaningful relationships. This person becomes the umpire of life. My friend, Maston Jackson, says, “a critical person perceives his opinion to be the most critical of issues.” They are arrogantly calling ‘balls and strikes’ on the actions and opinions of others. They are judges. On the other hand, this can take the form of self-condemnation and discouragement. A person can be paralyzed by self-doubt, self-pity, lack of self-confidence, self, self, self, self…ad nauseum.

Saving Ourselves

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. ---Romans 3:27-28

This is the person who feels guilt for her sins and attempts to atone for them through developing a ‘Mother Theresa’ complex. It says, “I’m going to do so much good in this world that God will have NO CHOICE but to let me into heaven.” The constant activity consumes her and once again is destructive to meaningful relationships. The focus is not on the goodness and grace of God but the achievement of the individual.

Entrusting Ourselves to God
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness

---Romans 4:4-5

God is merciful. What His mercy means that we do not get what we deserve as sinners. God is also gracious. His grace means we get more than we could ever deserve! But these graces come by believing. They come by entrusting ourselves to God’s goodness revealed most clearly through Jesus Christ. We yield our lives to Him because He gave His life for us. We trust in the accomplishments of Christ on our behalf. We recognize that we have great value in His eyes, but not greater than any other human, because we are all created in His image. There is no hierarchy. Human beings have worth because we all have the incredible potential of expressing His goodness. We are all broken, but valuable to Him. How do we determine value? By the price someone will pay.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ---1 Corinthians 6:20

The price the Lord was willing to pay for you involved unimaginable suffering and dying in your place. So how will you live in this world? Will you indulge yourself, forgetting His goodness and purpose for your life? Will you compare yourself, judging and condemning others or paralyzed by self-defeat? Will you try to rescue yourself by heaping up good deeds? Or will you entrust yourself to the grace of God and believe Jesus Christ, the Rescuer of us all?