Godlessness is the Absence of God

8/7/2011

Subject: “It befits all men who seek to place themselves above the animals to strive with the greatest effort not to pass through life in silence, like cattle, fashioned by nature to be stooped over in obedience to their stomachs.”

-Sallust, early Roman historian

Hey, I was pondering the email sent out yesterday with the one sunflower standing against the crowd, facing the sun. It made me think of the difference between being religious-minded and Jesus-centeredness. There had been something in Jeremiah that I was chewing on, where God said, “Both priest and prophet are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness.” (Jeremiah 23:11)

While these prophets and priests were religious and knew their Bible, they didn’t have God because of their sin. And it hit me that godlessness isn’t really ‘not believing in God’ but rather an absence of God in someone’s life. It’s like darkness, which isn’t really a thing in and of itself, but rather the absence of light. Godless things, whether earthly pleasures, family idolatry, or a thirst for knowledge take the place that God alone can and should fill.

So for me, considering this helped to sharpen my perspective on godlessness: that it is not a thing that can be intellectually solved by thinking, ‘i believe God exists.’ Rather, there is the practical and only REAL solution: pursuing, welcoming, and absorbing God’s light that He, His People, and His words radiate in my heart. Then it was easier to apply Paul’s encouragement for Timothy to myself: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.” (1 Timothy 6:20)

It is precious to draw closer to God’s Father-heart and shake off more of that head knowledge and religiousness which are not parts of Jesus’ character. Then while doing some research for an upcoming history paper, I read a quote that I placed in the subject heading:

“It befits all men who seek to place themselves above the animals to strive with the greatest effort not to pass through life in silence, like cattle, fashioned by nature to be stooped over in obedience to their stomachs.”—Sallust, early Roman historian

Even back then, pagans knew that there had to be more to life than being chained to their flesh. And that’s why, with all his other practical encouragements, the writer of Hebrews said, “See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son. He sold them for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:16)

I don’t want myself or anyone else to waste what God has in mind and be like dumb animals who only live for the moment, feeding themselves and looking down at the ground. I know God wants us to see Him the way Stephen did when He chose to look up in the face of persecution. So that’s what I want to dig into here with the others who are in my life. Just wanted to let you know as well. : )

—Imanuel (GA young man)