An Overlooked Truth

By: Gary L. Hutchens

   What is wrong with people?  Why do so many people do such wicked things?  Why do they lie, cheat, gossip, steal, fight and kill?  Why do they so casually use filthy, profane, disrespectful language?  Why do they bully and abuse others around them?  Why do they sexually assault women and children?  Why do they get caught up in alcoholism and drug addiction?  Why do they sell drugs, taking advantage of people so addicted?  The answer within one word?  Sin!

​   What is wrong with this world?  Why is there so much violence?  Why are there constant wars and conflicts?  Why is terrorism so prevalent and widespread?  Why is there so much government corruption across the globe?  Why is there drought, famine and pestilence?  Why is there so much pain and sickness and suffering and dying?  Same one word answer: Sin!
   While scientists, researchers, theorists, philosophers and politicians debate back and forth as to the greatest problems facing mankind, their causes and possible solutions, the answer is simple- Sin!
   The day mankind entered into sin (Gen. 3), everything changed.  The innocence that God had instilled within humanity was gone (Gen. 3:5-7).  The unique relationship they enjoyed with God was over (Gen. 3:8).  Their need for a Savior’s forgiveness and redemption was an immediate reality (Gen. 3:15).  They would experience greater suffering through pain (Gen. 3:16).  This world became a harder place (Gen. 3:17-18).  Physical death, with all of the sickness and suffering that contributes to it, would come to every human being (Gen. 3:22-24).  Spiritual death, separation from God, was immediate (Isa. 59:2), and possible eternal death stared them square in the face (Rev. 21:8).
   An overlooked truth is that sin is the gravest problem facing people and the world.  It’s not famine or plague or global warming or terrorism or war or crime or drug addiction or alcoholism or a warped philosophical mindset.  It’s Sin!  Sin is the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room that nobody wants to talk about.  In fact, many want to deny it altogether.  But denying the truth does not make it any less true.
   What’s the solution?  It’s not hiring more police officers or building more jails or writing more laws or electing the right politician.  The solution is to turn to God in repentance and obedience.  The gospel is the only way.  As individuals become more godly, they’ll influence other people around them to become more godly.  As more and more people change, their group influence will change things.  Culture will improve and society will become better.
   This world will come to an end one day; that’s a foregone judgment from God (2 Pet. 3:10).  Only God knows when that day will be.  But until that day comes we can be a profound difference for good in this world by living a godly life, by turning away from sin.  That is an overlooked truth, but it’s still the truth…