What Is Wrong With the World?
There’s bad news every day—war, disease, disasters and death. It’s like there’s something wrong with the world. As long as you look only at the situation in the world today, it will be very hard for you to overcome your worries because it’s true there are many problems and the future is unknown to us.
But you need to lift your eyes beyond what’s wrong and learn to trust God and His goodness instead. You can’t see the future, no matter how hard you try. It may bring more problems—or it may not. And worrying about it won’t change anything, of course, although we easily forget. Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).
But read this carefully: you don’t know the future, but God does. And even more importantly, God is in control of the future. Because He loves us and is in control of the future, He can be trusted to take care of us and watch over us.
Two phrases should remain in your heart as you think about your future and the things wrong with our world. They are “Give thanks” and “Trust God.” First, learn to give thanks to God for what you have and the ways He has blessed you. Even when life gets difficult, we should thank God for all He does for us—none of which we deserve. We should be “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
Most of all, we should thank God for what He has done for us in Jesus Christ. Have you ever done that? Have you accepted Jesus into your heart and are certain you’ll be with Him in Heaven? The problems of the world pale in comparison. Your relationship to Christ is the most important thing you should be thinking about right now, and you can settle it today by turning to Christ in faith and trust.
And when you’re “born again,” then you realize you can trust God for your future—both now and eternally. Take rest in what the Bible says, the worries of this world “… dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:32-33).
Are you ready to receive Jesus and look beyond everything wrong with the world?
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
