Post # 27
Why is history so full of wars, crime, corruption and man’s inhumanity to man? I’m concerned about the principal cause, which I believe is found in the Garden of Eden Bible story – namely when Adam and Eve took it upon themselves to eat the Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This act cut them off from God’s Holy Spirit of love (outgoing concern for others, including God, equal to self concern) and active seeking for and submission to God’s will.
Thus mankind is capable of many wonderful good deeds, but also the most incredible evil. Our world is a mixture of good and bad, depending on the choices made, especially by those who set themselves up as leaders. That is my point of view concerning our world overall.
I am reminded of James chapter 4 – especially v1-2. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 You lust and have not: you kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not”.
So James is talking about those led by their human spirit only – the dark side – envy, lust, greed, covetousness, robbery, kill to get another one’s stuff, kill to defend stuff and family, kill to get stuff back, revenge, guerrilla warfare etc etc. On and on ever since Cain slew Abel.
Then James says “yet you have not, because you ask not“. He is talking here to those beginning to be led by the Holy Spirit. Who should they ask for needed things for their families and community except God? Not just personal wants, but for the needs of others and the church, like freedom to preach the gospel.
Even in ‘peaceful’ Canada we have low key grumbling between the aboriginal peoples and the pale faces, that sometimes results in stand-offs. I think most mainstream Canadians don’t know what the natives want – after all they gave them reservations and welfare. However, they took away their land by war or threat of war and then they attempted cultural genocide. Now the First Nations would like their treaty rights honored. Human nature would struggle to get their original way of life back, but they have accepted that those days are gone forever. They want social equality and a fair shake to make a decent living.
World leaders need to understand that war begets war, and does not bring peace. Isaiah 59:8 “The way of peace they know not:” Link to Encyclopedia Britannica article - “Why War Fails”.
The way to peace? – Jesus said “Repent and believe the gospel.” Can everyone in the whole world repent at once? – Not now because the gospel is being preached in a limited way, by insufficient numbers of people; but everyone can after Christ returns. That process will begin at Jerusalem, while the great exodus brings people from the 4 corners of the earth and so on. They will learn to war no more. Micah 4:3 says “nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore”.
In the meantime? Christians need to carry on preaching the gospel in all the world to reach as many people as possible that God may be calling to repentance and faith - and also to give thanks and offer praise – Until He Comes Again.
