Idol worship is technically the only sin that exists, and the royal majesties Me, Myself and I are the greatest idols in all creation. Much of our wrongdoing is sourced from our sin of exalting the idol of self.
Going back to our friends in the garden, they had a simple job. ONE JOB! All they were supposed to do was nurture. Humanity’s main task on earth is to be responsible caretakers of all creation. Yet, they screwed up because they felt like becoming the boss.
Today, humans continue to miss it because we decide to nurture our selfish interests instead of our fellow humans and the world around us. Nurturing your selfish interest is not only about chasing money and success no matter the cost. It is also being like the Levite or the priest in the story of the Good Samaritan. Religiosity is a mighty veil often used to disguise selfishness.
My thing, my way and my life. Yet, all we were created to do is his thing, his way and live his life. (He, by the way, is God). In fact, the whole point of Jesus’ existence on earth was to show us God’s way. He set an example for us by living a life of total humility, showing us how we were created to live. “Follow me”, he says. Follow his example and you will not go wrong.
Let’s assume I had the ultimate recipe for fluffy yet moist vanilla cake. In order to get the desired outcome, I have to follow every single step of the recipe. Measure the flour, butter and sugar accurately. Weigh the eggs and beat them at the recommended speed for the right amount of time. If I decide to freestyle it and add just one more egg, feeling I can make the cake even better, it would all be ruined. All because of a tiny egg, the outcome will not be the ultimate fluffy and moist vanilla cake.
Such is the same with following Jesus. The outcome can never be the same if we deviate.
The Mark 8 Christian 