After watching the miniseries Who is Erin Carter? (2023) on Netflix, I thought to myself, you know, the successes of man, whether achieved legally or illegally, are actually the same thing when viewed in light of Genesis 11, 2Timothy 3 (particularly 2Tim 3:5).
The glory is for the self, not for God. Men who call themselves Christians may some of them utter the password: "Glory be to God" but everyone around them sees there's no giving glory to God but themselves. Some men would be more honest, not daring to invoke God's name like that, but still try to prove themselves, in order to keep their "Christian" title or just to have some kind of humble moral diploma stamped in their lives, would donate to charity, volunteer at soup kitchen, host small group Bible study at their homes, becoming pastors. Nevertheless, they do not truly care about the Gospel. The Gospel is a tract for them to keep in their own pockets as a just in case that they could take the tract out in Heaven as evidence of their salvation.
No, those who look after themselves, they do not desire to live with God. They prefer God as only the source of their blessings, not the Creator, not the Father whom they would have personal relationship with.
These, I have no interest to talk to about religion or faith. I am only interested to talk about the Bible, about God, to non-Christians and those who live a Gospel-centered life. Not those who do "Christian" things (i.e. going to church, joining/hosting Bible study groups, etc.) yet are selfish. For they are succeeding in their own peril, like the show's (Who is Erin Carter) depiction of the West, that a mother, Lena (the West) has reached a depravity, despite her ability to love, must give up the daughter she love. And someone else (Kate/Erin) who has adapted to her culture is now apt to take over the role of motherhood for the daughter (Harper). Their love for "Christian things" is futile. God will use it only to their own peril, for the benefit of the others who truly