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] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
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 free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that 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 receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
