God-Centered Faith in a Me-Centered Age
We’re living in the last days, and while it’s absolutely thrilling to watch world events fall into place prophetically leading up to the tribulation (with the rapture happening just before that), Scripture also gives a weighty warning that deserves our attention.
2 Timothy 3:1–2a says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
The self-love Paul describes is no longer shocking—it is normal. It saturates our culture so thoroughly that it has become nearly invisible to us. That makes it especially dangerous for believers, because it quietly shapes how we approach the Bible, the church and even prayer. Without realizing it, we can drift into a me-centered posture instead of a God-centered one.
For example, when you open your Bible, what instinctively drives your reading? Do you immediately look for what the passage means for you personally, or do you approach Scripture asking, “What is God revealing about Himself?” That second question is how you actually come to know God better—if knowing Him is your goal. Rather than scanning first for promises, comforts or daily survival nuggets, look for how God acts, what He values and how consistently He reveals His nature across Scripture. When God Himself becomes the focus, worship follows naturally and obedience becomes alignment rather than obligation.
Now, to be clear, the Bible is full of promises, comforts and truths that sustain us day by day—but the Bible is not about us. That distinction matters. Helen Howarth Lemmel captured it well in her familiar hymn: Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.
Here’s a simple test case that exposes the difference between me-centered and God-centered reading. Consider John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A common me-centered cliché attached to this verse goes something like: “If I were the only one in the world, Jesus would have died just for me.” That sentiment subtly reframes the verse around self. John 3:16 doesn’t say “me”—it says the world. God had a global sin problem to deal with. His focus was not validating individual self-worth. Scripture tells us that Christ was planned as the sacrificial Lamb “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). A safer, more faithful way to view John 3:16 is this: “God loved the world, and I am graciously included among the ‘whosoever believeth.’”
The me-centered outlook of the last days doesn’t stop at personal Bible reading. It has worked its way into much of modern church culture. Some expressions are more obvious than others, and that’s a conversation all of its own. But here’s one recent example. A well-known, global multi-campus church describes its founding pastor online as someone who has “spent decades helping people discover their identity and unlock their God-given potential,” believing the church should “pioneer culture, elevate imagination, and call people into a better future.” Statements like these are increasingly common, and they all orbit the same idea: Christianity as a pathway to self-realization.
To close, here are some me-centered vs. God-centered viewpoints to gauge where we’re at:
Salvation
· Me-centered: Salvation exists mainly to improve my life now and get me to heaven.
· God-centered: Salvation reconciles sinners to God and serves His eternal plan.
Prayer
· Me-centered: Prayer is about getting God involved in my plans.
· God-centered: Prayer aligns me with God’s will, purposes and plans.
End Goal
· Me-centered: My happiness, fulfillment and self-actualization.
· God-centered: God’s glory, now and forever.
If the God-centered viewpoint feels unfamiliar or even uncomfortable, that may be an indication of how deeply a me-centered outlook has shaped our thinking. Ask God—not to affirm you—but to reveal Himself to you more clearly.
R&J Shee