What's Wrong With the World?

Derek Jackson preached about the fundamental depravity of mankind Thursday night. Saccharine enough.
It gets better. He went on to quote the scripture where Jesus confronts the Pharisees, as He was known to do countless times, and tell them that it is not what a man EATS or TAKES IN to his body that defiles him, but what comes OUT of a man defiles him. The human heart itself is flawed and without cleansing, will cause sin to flow from our lives.
Furthermore, he quoted a famous guy (either G.K. Chesterton or Schaefer, can't remember which)'s response to the question, "What's wrong with the world?" Many people will blame a political party, X-rated movies, the war with Iraq, the school system, world leaders, etc. This man reply to "what's wrong with the world?" was ... "I am."
The problem starts with me. Wow, that hit home. I read an interesting article in my sociology book about how Americans thought there was something fundamentally flawed with the German ethnic group after World War II. How could so many Germans have WILLINGLY complied with Hitler's orders to murder the Jews?! Surely, in America, the average citizen would have disobeyed such orders, if such a crisis had arisen. A sociologist performed an experiment in which around 80% of people willingly gave a man (or thought they were giving a man) an electric shock, just because they were told to by an authoritative figure in the contrived experiment.

The point is that there is no depth to which you and I are "simply unable" to arrive at, without the mercy and restraining power of the Holy Spirit upon our flesh...and specifically, our human heart.

Also stirred up in me has been this whole idea of Christ as our integration point. Jesus should be our number one priority, right?! WRONG!! Jesus should be our ALL IN ALL, our everything, the only reason for our existence.

As I was sitting in the service last night stressed out about homework, Jesus visited me with peace and conviction. He explained to me that it is wrong when ministers tell people, "Involve Jesus in your daily activities this week." No no no! Jesus wants to be the driving force behind these activities! This is what He meant when he said to do all to the glory of God. Everything is geared toward loving Him..."Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Eccl. 9:10).

One other thing. Psalm 139. I talked to someone recently about the nature of self-image problems. I am discovering that pride and self-condemnation are "twin" sins. Pride results from boosting our egos and crediting ourselves for the good in us. Self-flagellation results from denying the good God has placed within us, saying in essence, "God you screwed up when you made me...you didn't do a good enough job." So, either way, with pride or self-condemnation, you are focused on yourself and not God...you need to get your identity inline. Define yourself as Christ does, not your friends, the media, pop culture, etc...

Yeah, I'm stirred up right now...