Romans
1:28, 32 Just as they did not
think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a
depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done… Although they know God’s righteous decree that
those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very
things but also approve of those who practice them.
Two men shared a hospital room. One suffered from
advanced lung disease and knew that smoking would kill him. The other had a
liver disorder and knew that alcohol would surely kill him. Each bribed
employees to smuggle in liquor and cigarettes and gloated over their
cleverness. Why?
A woman had an abortion and had to undergo months of
mental therapy because of the resulting guilt and depression. Six months later
she went back for another abortion. Why?
Two men hung on crosses beside Jesus. Both men knew
about Him but while one begged for mercy, the other ridiculed Jesus and went to
his death bearing the guilt of his own sins. Why?
The cases above are the same. They are cases of
people committing suicide physically, emotionally and spiritually. Why? Why do
we do what we know will lead to certain death and unhappiness? Simply this: we
want to be our own gods and rule our own lives, even though we know that it
will kill us.
The tendency to put “me” first and God last is the
basis of sin. The wages of sin is death. What a logical statement that is when
we see that only God can give and sustain life. If we abandon God and try to
run our lives ourselves, we will die.
It wouldn’t do me any good to own a private je
because I don’t know how to fly it, and would kill myself in the attempt. So
also with our lives: we want to pilot our self, but we don’t know how, and we
die in the attempt. We are our own worst enemy!
