If you woke up this morning expecting things to be better, you’re in for a shock. Authorities tell us CoViD19 is still killing people, so we’d better do as they say. The riots have lessened, but the resentment and hatred are still with us. The stock market may be going up, but only because we’re going farther into debt. If you expected the world to be a better place today, you’ll be disappointed because the causes are all still there.
Things might seem better if we were more realistic in our expectations. Riots will not lower the amount of hatred in our world. “Have-nots” still hate the “haves”, the Left still hates the Right and non-Christians still hate Christians. We could soften our terms, replacing hatred with resentment or discontent, but the feelings are still the same. Hatred is with us because there is evil within us. It’s been that way since sin first came into the world.
People today hate to hear about sin. “It’s so negative!” they say, but happy feelings won’t make sad truths disappear. Indignation won’t change facts.
Modern progress has hoodwinked us, saying if we just do the right deeds, say the correct words and adopt their attitudes, we can make the world into the kind of world it’s meant to be. “Social justice” is what the secular world believes we need. “Social Justice” will order the world correctly, and then humanity can make this planet a very good place, maybe even a perfect one.
Someone once said, “You mean you can't eat that fruit? No, no, you won’t die. You’ll become like God.” That’s what humanism wants for us, to think we can be like God. But all we get is proof of sin - violence, riots, theft, looting and even murder. “Oh stop! You’re being negative again!”
A few days before His crucifixion, Jesus was in Jerusalem telling His disciples what to expect. They saw big buildings, wealth and accomplishments. They were dazzled by the big city, but Jesus told them: “Don’t expect a wonderful life just because you follow me. Rather, expect tribulation and trouble.”
Apostle John recorded Jesus’ Good News: “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Men or women, great or small, young or old - we're all mistaken if we expect to make the world perfect or even a really good place. Because of sin, that won’t happen! Evil will always rear its ugly head.
Satan hates the goodness of God and wants to destroy His efforts. Satan wants to kill us all and defeat God. But it won’t happen - we have God’s promise of that! John wrote to early Christians, “The one who is in you [Jesus] is greater than the one who is in the world [satan].” (1 John 4:4). That’s Good News! We’re not in this confusing world alone. God is with us and will deliver us!
May we all be encouraged today because the Savior who lives in us is greater than the Evil One in the world. All people will die, but all who trust Jesus will not die forever. We will be raised again to eternal life. Praise God for His mercies new every morning!
Life is good! Praise Jesus who makes it so by faith.
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com
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