Your Selfie Stick Can’t Do That

Your Selfie Stick Can’t Do That

By: Timothy Bettelli

Our Culture is Ruled by “Self”

A couple of weeks ago, my wife bought me a selfie stick. I have seen people use these things everywhere they go. From one perspective it seems like a really useful tool, especially when you don’t have anyone to take a picture for you. On the other hand, it also seems weird to me. I feel like it’s kind of strange because the whole point of a selfie stick is to take pictures of yourself.

I hope my wife doesn’t think that I like to take pictures of myself, or that I’m so narcissistic and conceded that I want to see myself plastered all over Facebook and Instagram. The truth is, the selfie stick is a perfect example of the culture we live in today. Our culture is ruled by the idea of “self.” We develop new technology every day with the intent of producing things that will allow each of us to do more and more and more by ourselves. Our tablets, phones, and computers all make our tasks easier to get done alone. But no matter how much our culture tries to make our lives self-sustaining, we will never truly be able to connect with God on our own. Galatians 3:11 tells us that it’s evident that no one can be justified by the law for the righteous shall live by faith. In other words, we will never be able to earn or work our way to God on our own. To truly know God one must have faith. Galatians 3:26-27 goes on to say, “for in Christ Jesus you’re all sons of God, through faith.” You see it was Jesus who earned our redemption to God.

If You Were To Die Today…?

I have asked countless students the old EE question: “If you were to die today, and you stood before the gates of heaven and Christ asked, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what would you say?” Students have said things like, “I’ve been a really good person,” “I’ve never done anything that bad to deserve to go down there,” “I make people laugh,” and “I think I’ve earned my ticket.” No matter how much you accomplish, how smart you are, or how much money you have, you can’t know God without knowing Jesus. Why? because it is the work of Jesus that secures our salvation (2 Cor. 5:21), not your work, not Buddha’s work, not Muhammed’s work, but Christ’s and Christ’s alone. Scripture makes it clear that without Christ’s perfect obedience being imputed to his children, we cannot be reconciled to our Creator.

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Timothy Bettelli graduated from Trinity College in 2002 with a pastoral degree. He also holds a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. He served as the Bible Teacher at Calvary Christian High School for 6 years and a Law Clerk in Clearwater, FL. for 4 years. He was also an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College and the former Admissions Director of TCF. Currently, he serves in the Public Affairs department at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, CO.