“The world is going crazy!” “The world is upside down!” “What is going on in the world today?” Many, if not most, professing Christians and non-Christians are united in their view that the world is in turmoil on a global scale—economically, politically, socially, etc. While Bible believers have always understood that the course of this age will degenerate as a result of narcissism and its attendant consequences (2 Tim. 3:1-4), unbelievers are also now sensing the downward trajectory of the world in which they find themselves. This has resulted in confusion, angst, and fear among believers and unbelievers alike.
What is wrong with the world today? The Creator of all things has spoken, and His Word still stands. Although He created everything “good,” how has mankind come to this place of death, decay, and despair? Why do angst, animosity, and antinomianism mark the course of this age? And, why is the world growing worse and worse rather than better and better? Let us consider three reasons—reasons that provide us with a lens through which we must view the big picture of not only the chaotic world in which we live but of God’s eternal plan.
Sin Has Infected Mankind—Without a divine perspective of the presence and nature of sin in the world, one cannot provide sufficient answers as to why the human condition is so fragile and corrupt. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:10, 23) because everyone born into this world is born “in Adam” (Rom. 5:12, 17-19). People sin because they are sinners by nature. Far too often, Christians get caught up in lamenting and attacking the fruit and consequences of sin without realizing that sin begins within. Those who are not “in Christ” are incapable of experiencing victory over sin in this life. Pride, unbelief, rebellion, covetousness, and love of self are what produce the chaos that outwardly manifests itself in the lives and relationships of those in the world. As people are looking out for themselves and their own interests, they naturally seek power, fame, money, sex, or anything else that fulfills their desires—often at the expense of others.
The God of This World Is Effectively Accomplishing His Work—This entails blinding the minds of unbelievers lest they believe the glorious good news of eternal life offered through faith alone in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:4) and attempting to shipwreck the faith of those who do possess a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Lk. 22:31; Eph. 6:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:8). In God’s perfect plan, He has allowed Satan to plot, scheme, and reign in “this present evil world” (Gal. 1:4). While this fact may frustrate many Christians, we must keep in mind that sinful man is the root of the problem, for the vast majority of people have rejected God’s solution to the crisis—redemption through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Without the power or ability to experience victory over sin in this life (and eternal glorification in the future), man will continue to walk in concert with the god of this world who is doing everything possible to ruin, corrupt, and destroy the Word and will of God.
The Church Today Is Weak and Impoverished—The Word of God clearly predicted this would happen. The New Testament epistles describe the “last days” as those in which men and women who claim to know the Lord choose to chart their own path—much like the Israelites of old who failed and forsook their Redeemer. Professing Christians in our day often marginalize God in their life; local churches have become social clubs and magnets for those who desire to be entertained and have their personal “needs” met; numbers and popularity are now more important than sound doctrine and faithfulness to God’s methods for ministry; renowned pastors and media personalities grab the respect and attention of believers rather than faithful local church pastors who have been entrusted with the spiritual care of their flock (Heb. 13:17).
Why has the church become so spiritually bankrupt today? Personally, I believe this has happened for two primary reasons:
First, the church has become weak due to the proliferation of “false gospels.” The god of this world has done a masterful job of perverting and distorting the simple, clear gospel of God’s grace—salvation by grace through faith alone apart from works. Sadly, the vast majority of professing Christians today believe that in order to have a relationship with God—and thus spiritual life—they need to “bring something to the table” and strike a deal with God. They think they need to work their way to heaven, to offer God their life or make a commitment to serve Him, to go through a rite or ritual, or to confess or promise to forsake certain sins. In other words, they focus on what they believe they can offer to God rather than on what Jesus Christ has already accomplished for them. This kind of approach to God offers no salvation and certainly no confidence of spiritual life. Even believers often struggle with assurance of salvation because they erroneously suppose that their faith requires some work or action on their part rather than resting in the fact that Christ has paid it all!
Second, the professing church is feeble due to the proliferation of false doctrine. Many who have truly received the gift of God (salvation) through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ have become caught up in erroneous teachings that sidetrack their walk with God and their spiritual growth—like the Galatian saints or the Hebrew Christians in the first century. They have surrounded themselves with pastors and teachers who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear—the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Others have reverted to legalism in an effort to live the Christian life rather than recognizing their new identity in Christ and resting in God’s grace and Christ’s perfect, finished work on their behalf. Instead of consistently interpreting the Bible literally and understanding that the Word of God does not contradict itself, they use “proof texts” to support their beliefs and pick and choose what they want to spiritualize and what they want to embrace as literal truth. As a result, they are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).
So, what is the solution to the world situation? The answer to sin and the aims of the god of this world is the proclamation of a clear, simple, and accurate gospel (“good news”) message. Social action, social justice endeavors, personal reformation, self-righteousness, or any other work or effort on the part of man cannot and will not bring regeneration, rejuvenation, or revival. The ultimate need of man is justification—to be declared righteous by God through faith alone. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31)—believe that you can do nothing to save yourself but that Jesus paid it all by dying and rising again to save sinners. His substitutionary and sacrificial death dealt with the sin problem. Man must simply receive the free gift of eternal life through faith in what Jesus Christ has already accomplished.
The answer to a weak and impoverished church is not pessimism (“Who cares? It’s just going to get worse”). The answer is not strident legalism (“We need more rules and control”). The answer is not greater activism (“We need to pound the pavement and change our surroundings and vote the right people into office”). The only answer is a return to the proclamation of the gospel of God’s grace and a return to Christian living based upon continual faith in the person and Word of God. Of course, this is not the easy route, but it is the biblical way. Believers today must “study” God’s Word and “rightly divide it.” Scripture sums it up this way: “Be not weary in well doing”; “study to shew thyself approved unto God”; “preach the Word”; “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Let us not lose our focus nor our faithfulness to God. Let us grasp the “big picture” of what is going on in this world today. In so doing, we will remember that we are “more than conquerors” due to our standing and position in Christ. He is working all things out according to His will and for His glory. When we understand this fact, we will cease from angst, fear, or despair. We will look for the any-moment return of our Savior, and, in the meantime, we will faithfully fulfill His will for our life—for our good and for His glory.
— Pastor Matt Costella. Reproduced from Foundation magazine, Volume 44, Issue 4.
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