The Real Problem in Our World

Marlon Furtado

The real problem in our world is not hunger, poverty, crime, racism, abortion, injustice, war, or exploitation. These all are the RESULTS of our real problem. The single seed from which all these problems germinate and grow is our rebellion against God.

God created mankind and put him in an idyllic environment with only one restriction. “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’ (Genesis 2:16–17) As you know, Adam decided he was better suited than God to determine what was good and what was evil. He rebelled against God, and that has been the history of mankind.

Each of us is born with an inherent dislike for anyone telling us, “No.” When we are just a toddler, the word most often used in the English vocabulary is “No.” How many children obey without putting up a fight? Just take a few minutes to observe moms with small children in checkout lines at a grocery store. The child grabs a candy bar. When the mom quietly shakes her head, does the child quickly put it back without a battle of the wills?

You have probably heard the story of the little boy who was arguing with his mom. She demanded he sit down. The boy did so, but muttered to himself, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside.” It’s not any easier for us as we grow older. We don’t like it when we are told what to do. In this time of pandemic, when I am told that I must wear a mask, like the little boy, on the outside I put my mask on, but on the inside, I keep my face uncovered.

Especially during these chaotic days, when discussion about God is taboo in schools, in the workplace, and in the halls of government, I think Psalm 2 addresses the real problem. “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their fetters.’ The One enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:1–4)

God’s response to these attempts to displace Him? He laughs. Like an Olympic wrestler squaring off against a skinny teenager on the mat, the match would be so lopsided, it would be laughable. The best action this teenager could make would be to forfeit the match before it ever started. Our best action is to surrender our wills to God and acknowledge Jesus as Lord. That’s what Psalm 2 goes on to say. “Kiss the Son [Jesus], lest He be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 2:12)

The solution to the chaos in our WORLD is to surrender to God.
The solution to the chaos in your LIFE is to surrender to God.

revmar51@gmail.com

Comments to: The Real Problem in Our World

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *