by Steven Chan
We read the newspapers and the various problems plaguing the countries and the people. These problems may be issues pertaining to the economy or they may be political, societal, marital, ethical, etc.… Many get very upset with what they read in the newspapers or on the various websites. Some spend lots of energy expressing their frustrations with what they perceive to be unjustified actions or unfair/inequitable treatments.
But if we look closely at these problems, the underlying problem has to do with man’s refusal to submit themselves to do the will of God. All the shenanigans or mischief are often the result of the failure to doing the Will of God. The Bible describes this as “sin”; “for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4). According to the prophet Isaiah: “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.” The Psalmist describes thus: “Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men? 2 No, in heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear, 5 Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skilfully.” (Psa 58:1-5)
So long as the “sin” problem remains, we will always have the problems that we read about in the daily newspapers/websites or hear from the radio or see on the TVs.
Instead of spending our effort and time to try to treat the “symptoms” of sin, the Bible teaches us to treat the underlying root problem of sin by preaching the gospel so that man will repent or turn away from “going their own ways”, and submit themselves to do the will of God and thereby receive forgiveness of sins and have the hope of heaven (Matt 7:21; John 14:6; Col 1:5). When man is no longer alienated from God and from one another because of their sins (Eph 2:14-19), then love, peace and harmony will prevail. Let’s resolve to spend our time and effort to preach the gospel – which is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe and obey (Rom 1:16; 6:17). The gospel is the good news that God has given to man; it is the way to peace with God and with our fellow men (Rom 5:1; Eph 4:2-3)
