The definition of humanism is "a system of thought that rejects religious beliefs and centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth. It is the denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity; the rejection of religion in favor of a belief in the advancement of humanity by its own efforts."
Sadly, I'm afraid that there are many in our world that agree with this system. But something else I wonder. Are there those that say they believe in God, but live and act as if He doesn't do anything? That everything they have or do is by their own doing? That God has no power in the world at all? I remember my husband using the term "practical atheism" in a sermon. This term means the same thing I mentioned - believing in God, but acting as if He doesn't exist". When we begin to think to highly of ourselves and what we can do, we begin to think less of our God and what He can do!
Philippians 4:13 is a popular scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.". I love that verse, don't you? But maybe we put to much focus on the first word....the "I". Maybe we forget the most important part of the verse......through CHRIST! What we do, as Christians, is because of what Christ has done and because of the blessings we having in God, not on our own doing. Yes, we may be blessed with talents and abilities that give us recognition on earth, but do we take that praise as something that puffs us up because of what we believe "we" did on our own? Hopefully not! Hopefully, if we have successes on earth and receive praise for them, we acknowledge the fact that everything we have and do is because of what we are doing through Christ. It's for HIS glory (or should be) and not for our own glory.
Self-confidence becomes God-confidence. "It's all about me!", becomes, "It's all about HIM!". I become less dependent on myself and my abilities, and become more dependent on HIM and what I can do through HIM.
The biggest problem with humanism is that one may believe they can "get to heaven" on their own....their own goodness. They may believe since they are a good person, wouldn't hurt anyone, may do some good things, that that is all that matters....just being "good" and not evil. They may not see a need for a Savior. But the Bible tells us that there is no other way to the Father, except through the Son. We all have sin in our lives (even if we may claim to be "good" people) and we all need Jesus to cleanse us from that sin. We cannot expect to be in Heaven some day unless we follow God's Word and His plan for salvation laid out in the Word. We can not get to Heaven on our own!
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
There is no place for an "It's all about me!" attitude in the life of a Christian. There is no way that humanism can go hand in hand with being a follower of Christ. It can not work! It has to be all about Him.
On this Gratituesday, I am thankful for God's power in my life. I could not make it without Him. I am thankful, also, for the Savior, for Jesus. He gave His life on the cross so that I could live in Heaven for eternity. It's not all about me. In fact, it has nothing to do with me at all! It has everything to do with Him. And I am blessed because of what He has done. That's definitely something to be grateful for!
Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
Amen. I was reminded this weekend in a sermon that when we follow Jesus, we follow in his footsteps expecting pain, abuse, and death! But the sweet goal is also ours!
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