Introduction
The
acronym “SLR” stands for Service Learning Requirement, which is a part of a
course I am taking right now. This article aims to utilize some of the course
material and present an evangelistic message to you, my readers. However, this
is not meant to become a single-sided sermon on the evil of the world. Instead,
I hope to pen down some of the phenomenon during the past years in various
parts of the world, and provide some insights for your consideration.
Our World Today
As
of September 2016, there has been major terrorism attacks in Europe, which have
changed the way people feel about security. The economic down turn in Europe
has also been evident for some years, causing increased financial insecurity. Environmental
issues have occupied headlines more frequently, little by little erasing the
hope for a better future. Technology has brought a lot of new gadgets and
entertainment, which are becoming more mundane than ever.
The
world is being united: English language removes obstacles in communication;
airlines remove obstacles in geography; TV and internet remove obstacles in
culture. People are becoming international, or actually more global than ever.
What has this development brought to you? Perhaps more job opportunities
outside of your native country? Perhaps more travel opportunities to see
wonders of the world? Perhaps finding the one you love from other side of the
globe? Perhaps all of these, or perhaps none.
What
are also real in the world today: wars, famine, abundance, migration, comfort,
natural disasters, high tech, tolerance, racism, communalism, individualism,
pride, suffering, some love, and a lot of hate. Vengeance. Lies. Soap operas
and X-factors, movies, stars, conspiracy theories, self-enlightenment,
self-indulgences. Science is not the power driving society anymore; individual
aspirations and ideologies have ascended the throne.
There
are still some beautiful things in nature, people, life. But these are becoming
rare. Or perhaps it is the observant who has learned to neglect better. How is
our world today? What do you think?
Why Our World is as It Is Today?
Now,
skipping the answer to “how is our world today”, I come to the question: why
our world is as it is today? Below are few aspects, and I hope to hear your
comments/feedback if any.
- The reasons of the unrest of world: There is no single reason that answers this question. Some say religion is the reason for wars, some say greed is the reason for totalitarianism, some say lack of love is why people hate each other, some say poverty is the reason for unrests. Actually, the condition of our world is nothing new, there has always been wars, murders, uprisings, and violent encounters. The difference is that we are now more aware of these due to advancement in broadcasting and technology. More NEWS has brought more information which has brought sympathy and eventually apathy.
- The reasons for unhappy people in the Western world: The postmodern ideology of the relativity of truth and reality has taken away any firm foundation on which an individual can build his/her life upon. Within the ideology, tradition is a constructed evil meant to control people; society is a necessary evil meant to keep order; and religion is a myth meant to comfort people. What postmodern people do not see is the setting of individual (subjective ideas) to become truth itself, which in turn leads to self-centricity = pride. In this condition, one accepts only values/ideas suitable for oneself, and rejects any “authorities” that do not agree. When one has thus isolated him/herself, one has also isolated oneself from happiness
- The reasons for unhappy people in the Eastern world: The glamorous and enjoyable material abundance occupying Western countries have become the single goal for Eastern countries. Without the Christian worldview, Eastern people tend to give no value to oneself, but rather sees community/family as a priority. Coupled with materialistic outlook developed in recent decades, people in the Easter world compare his/her success to others. They also compare rank, power, beauty, wisdom, wealth, and health, just to name a few. In this endless loop of comparison, people living in Eastern world do not become satisfied, and happiness eludes from them.
- The reasons for unhappy people in poverty: The answer seems obvious: they are poor! But, if we look deeper, it is not poverty itself that takes away happiness. Children are happy if they have family and friends, of course if they get their daily portion of food. If there is no daily portion of food, can the love and care of close people still bring happiness? To certain extend, yes. My view on this topic is, the world is biased in its treatment of people: rich becomes richer, poor becomes poorer. Greed and hording of wealth are fundamental reasons to poverty, and bribery system in most of poor countries only makes it more obvious. People in poverty could be happy if they are cared for, treated as human beings, and given the opportunity to change their lives. Holistic intervention helps.
- What is happiness? Postmodern mind will bring up this question, and it is a fair question to ask. Bible has a saying: “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Timothy 6:6-7, ESV). The core here are godliness and contentment. I would agree. Godliness offers a set of values that are defined by God (assuming that the Christian God is real), which transcend time, space, culture, society, and which are claimed to bring happiness to every individual. Contentment is a choice of mind, an attitude of living, which helps people to accept happiness produced by godliness. Contentment doesn’t mean lack of ambition; it rather keeps ambitions honorable and worthy.One of the problems in the world today is that people are too busy to think, or too lazy to think deeply. Often we do not want to take the pain of delving deeper into our motives, values, thoughts, or emotions. In the text above, I have listed few observations, and below I will list few conclusions. Would you agree with them?
How Our World Should Be?
- Will our world be able to sustain itself? Recently there are more and more news regarding possibilities to migrate to Mars. Also, famous Stephen Hawking has deemed the earth to be inhabitable in less than 1000 years, likely under 200 years. Though I do not agree with Stephen about the way earth will diminish, I concur that current way humanity operates is not sustainable. Our selfish living and tremendous consumption of resources, in addition to pollutions produced, are toxicating the earth without any hope of recovery. Our so called “advancements in civilization” are only nice looking outward improvements without true internal change. People are as evil as ever, and more technology only offers more power to practice evil deeds.
- What then? The Bible tells us that before long, there will be major catastrophes on earth (Rev. 6:8; 8:7; 9:3-6; 11:6, 13, 19), and at the end God will create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). Though the “short-term” outlook of our world is not very bright, biblical faith offers comfort and hope, for “God himself will be with them and be their God”, and “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 21:3-4). What is heaven? The essence of it is to be with the loving and righteous God, in full contentment, happy, and forever thankful for what He has done. There will be no hunger, no thirst, no longlines, no pain, no death, no sorrow; because God himself will rule and care. That is how our world should be.
- You might sigh at my quotations from the Bible, thinking it to be outdated or simply superstitious. Then again, have you really sought to disapprove what Bible says? Have you considered the consequences of God being real, and the Bible being really a revelation from Him? You can check some internet resources for deeper study, e.g. C.S. Lewis Apologetics, or Christian Apologetics Research Ministry. In the meanwhile, let me provide an presentation of Christian message for the world today.
- The Christian message for the world today: The Christian message for you today is actually nothing different from what was proclaimed in the first century AD by the disciples of Jesus Christ: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:42-43). Another quote: “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).
- How it works? Let me break it down for you.
- We people are sinners in the eyes of God: we are not perfect as He is, we are selfish, proud, self-centered. We compare ourselves with others, which produce either pride or jealousy. We lack compassion, empathy, love. We lack the ability to not sin. (see Psalm 53:3, Romans 3:23, James 2:8-11)
- We are not able to help ourselves: we cannot remit our sins, cannot remove the guilt, cannot redo what has been done, cannot help ourselves. Acknowledging this, we cannot help other people to remit their sins, as we cannot even help ourselves. (see Hebrews 9:22)
- God has provided a way: Because God loves us and does not want us to suffer the consequences of sin, He chooses to forgive our sins. However, God is also just, so His nature requires a punishment for our sins. Jesus came to solve this problem: He led a perfect life in humility and power, then surrendered Himself to humiliation and torture, to shameful death on the cross. Jesus took the punishment of our sins, and was able to do so because He is the Son of God, and He did not sin. Jesus also rose from the dead, because death had no reason to keep Him. (see John 3:16-17, 1 John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 23:47; Romans 5:6, Matthew 26:26-28, Colossians 2:13-15, Galatians 1:4, 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 2:24, 2:32, 3:15, 4:33)
- Do we choose the way God has provided? God has provided the way of redemption for our sins, salvation for our souls, and true peace and happiness in life. The choice is yours, whether to accept His gift, or to ignore it? To accept it, simply calm down and tell Him, tell Him about your weaknesses, imperfections, and that you cannot help yourself. Tell Him that you want to receive His gift for you: salvation, remittance of sins, the new life promised. Then thank Him for this gift. That’s it. (See John 1:12, Romans 10:9-13)
- How to continue? Life continues, usually, also after your decision to accept salvation by Jesus. What I can recommend is that you would contact someone who is a Jesus -follower, and share with him/her what you have just done. It would also be good to get a Bible and starting to read, e.g. starting with Gospel of Mark, then the letter to Galatians, letter to Colossians, etc. You can also pray to God in the name of Jesus, whenever and wherever you are, regarding whatever issues, aloud or in your mind. Finally, it is important to find a healthy church where you can ask questions, experience love of the Christian family, and find your spot. Do not just keep this to yourself, our world needs more people like you. (see Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 8:14-16, Romans 8:26, Luke 11:1-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Hebrews 10:24-25)
Final Remarks
The
“How it Works” -section above might be lengthy, but I pray it is right for you,
who are looking for answers and seeking for help. Your life does matter, and
you have unique value in the eyes of God. He loves you!
I am open to hear from you and learn your story. I might also be able to answer
some of your questions, if any. The goal of believing in Jesus and living as a
Christian is not simply to receive salvation, or become a better person, or get
ideas how to make this world a better place. The goal of believing in Jesus is
simply that it is the best thing that can happen to us, and through us, it is
the best thing that can happen to people around us and for this world. Believe
in Him, follow His guidance in your life, build up a relationship with Him, and
you will not be bored.
If
you are already a Christian and have been following Jesus in your life, great! I
want to bless you and pray that you continue to receive gifts from God, with
which you can serve the people around you and build up your church. The gifts
from God might be health, or an ability to care for people, or a skill to do
something, or finances, or a power to pray, or humility. Do not despise what He
gives to you, but use it to your full potential. I am sure you will find Him
smiling at you when you do.
Have
faith, have hope, enjoy Love, be blessed!
