LIKE GOD

 

Observing humanity, it is noted that each human being has a desire to be the best among the others. If there is no such desire, it is because the rigors of life or deep reflection have eliminated or reduced this desire. But deep down, everyone is in search of riches, fame and power. People want to be in the spotlight, to be recognized as important, they want to climb to the highest positions and be admired. Greed in man has no limit, and therefore he is never satisfied. He always wants more and more. There is a latent arrogance in some and, in profusion, in others. Such behavior has its origin in original sin, when man desired to be like God.

This is what aroused the interest of the first couple in the forbidden fruit. God had said not to eat that fruit, because they would die. The "serpent," however, said to Eve: " You will not certainly die, the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). At this point, the nature of original sin is revealed, because the serpent's speech cast doubt on God's honesty in relation to human beings. Adamic sin was then more than simple disobedience. Seduced by a desire to be "like God," he doubted the divine character and listened to the Tempter.  

This aspect of human nature, that is, its desire for prominence in relation to others, imprints a climate of competition in relationships. People don't just want to improve themselves, but to be superior to others.  This spirit of dispute that has dominated human history since the Fall has given rise to this model of the world that we have today, characterized by the domination of man by man. It is in this aspect of man that we find the origin of slavery, which exists to this day, of racial prejudice, of wars and of the emergence, throughout history, of the great world empires.

Man lost his essence in the Fall and now, in order to feel relevant, he wants to have power over others. On their way to Jerusalem for the last time, the Apostles James and John approached Jesus privately and made the following request: "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory". They thought that Jesus was going to make a rebellion, expel the Romans and take the throne of Israel, and so they asked for important positions. But Jesus gathered them together and said that it would not be so among them... "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:37, 43, 44).

We must indeed be like God, but in love, purity and holiness, because by doing so we get closer to the being we were before the first sin. The greed aroused in Eve by the serpent altered her view of things. It is as the "serpent" said: "his eyes will be opened". Now man does not even see God and his neighbor sees him as someone he can exploit. That is why Jesus spoke about being a servant to the disciples. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, said something similar: "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (2:3-4).

In Eden, man took the path of arrogance and, because of this, had his nature changed, starting to experience death. Now, to return to his original condition, he must take the path of humility.  That is why Jesus entered the world to teach us this way. Paul said: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:5-9).

In this way, according to sacred Scripture, at the end of time, the human being, the one who surrenders to God, through faith in Christ, will have "the image and likeness of God" that he carries, in his being, restored. It will be a new creation, fully restored, body and spirit. But for that, during this life, he needs to assume "the same attitude as Christ" of emptying himself of himself and trusting in God and in the sacrifice of his Son, on the cross.

Antônio Maia – Ph.B., M.Div.

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