God’s Answer for What’s Happening

As we look around at what’s happening in the world, we might question whether society will ever change. Have we gone too far? Is there hope?

We must never forget that God did say, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). All things are possible as we turn to God.

We must also remember that God did warn us about what it would be like in the last days. — “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves . . .” (2 Tim. 3:1-2)

Keep in mind that God doesn’t force His way on people. He gives opportunity upon opportunity for people to turn to Him but at some point when they keep rejecting Him, He gives them over to their own ways. — “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” (Rom. 1:28)

Should we then just throw up our hands as though there is nothing that can be done about it? Should we just give in and accept the world’s standards?

God’s Answer Can be Found in Three Truths:

1) Personal Accountability

God’s answer is that His people should continue living according to His Word. We are personally accountable for holding on to God’s truth regardless of what is happening around us. Be sure to notice the capitalized words in the verses below.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. BUT AS FOR YOU, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of . . . All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful . . . (2 Tim. 3:12-17)

2) Individuals Matter

As we see in the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, every individual person matters to God. Do not minimize the value of helping those you can.

There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Lk. 15:10)

3) God Himself Needs to be the Focus

God’s answer, then, is that it does matter how we personally live and that He can and will use His Church to affect change but we need to have the right focus. If the core problem, according to Romans 1, is that people’s hearts became darkened because they “exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” then we have to focus on “the truth about God” more than the problems in the world.

Yes, we do need to stand for truth about the various issues, but first and foremost we need to promote the truth about who God is. Until people see Him as the Sovereign One who not only has the right to set the standard for right and wrong but whose very character defines it, they have no reason to change. Until people see that while He is a holy God, He is also a gracious and forgiving God whose Almighty power is sufficient to affect change for their good, they have no hope for transformation.

Where are you putting the focus? What are you presenting as the answer?