I do not have to tell any of you that we live in an evil world. We are all quite aware of the sorrow, heartache, misery, suffering and death in our world. Some are angry at God about it. It brings questions and doubt into our hearts and causes some to wonder if God even exists.
 
God Did Not Make The World That Way
 
God did not make the world that way (Genesis 1-2). He made everything very good. God made the woman for the man and they had everything they needed in the Garden of Eden. All was at peace.  There was no suffering, pain or death.
 
Our Sins Have Messed Up This World
 
Man sinned against God (Genesis 3). The old serpent, the devil, tempted the woman and she sinned.  The man followed her into sin. As a result, they were both ashamed and in their guilt tried to hide from God. Their sin brought God’s curses on every creature, including the serpent which was destined to crawl on its belly. The woman was given pain in childbearing and would desire to rule over her husband. The ground was cursed to bring forth thorns and thistles so that the man could only eat of it with hard work. Sin changed everything.
 
Since that time, we have all sinned and the world has only become worse (Romans 3:10-18, 23). Every one of us has contributed to the mess we have made for ourselves in this world. None of us are without guilt. Like the man and the woman in the beginning, our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23) and brought much grief into the world.
 
There Is A Savior For All The World
 
We are not without hope (1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:3-9). God still loves us (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 4:10-11, 19). In His grace, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and be reconciled to Him forever (Ephesians 2; 2 Corinthians 5:19). There is a Savior for us all (Matthew 1:23; John 4:42; 1 Timothy 4:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent from heaven to the earth as a man (John 1; Philippians 2:5-8). He was born of a virgin and was begotten by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2). Living in the flesh He was tempted and tried but did no sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22). Having lived a perfect life, God would accept His death as a sacrifice for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 5:8-9; 1 John 2:1-2).
 
Only the sacrifice of an innocent person could appease God’s wrath and satisfy His justice regarding our sins (Romans 3:24-26). I could not die for you and you could not die for me because we all have our own sins (Romans 3:23). So, Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). In giving Himself upon the cross, He paid for our sins so that we might be forgiven (Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
 
After His death, He did not stay in the tomb but arose from the dead and ascended back into heaven where He lives forever (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1-2). In doing this, He has defeated the work of the devil (1 Corinthians 15; Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-18). Jesus conquered sin and death so we are all able to overcome temptation and rest in the assurance of eternal life (Romans 8). Even while we endure the suffering of this evil world, He can give us a peace that is beyond our understanding, an indescribable joy and a living hope that sustains us through every trial of life (Philippians 4:4-19; 1 Peter 1:3-9).
 
Your Response Will Make All The Difference In The World

Do you believe this good news? If you believe, you will decide in your heart to turn from sin to live for God (Acts 3:19). You will confess your faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Lord and Savior of the world (Romans 10:9-10). You will be immersed for the forgiveness of sins, committing yourself to Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6). You will be faithful to Him for the rest of your life (Revelation 2:10). He will give you an abundant life now and in eternity with Him (John 10:10; 2 Peter 1:10-11).
 
If you do not believe, you are condemned already because of your sins and will be forever separated from God (Matthew 25; John 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). If you lose your faith, turning away from Christ to never repent, but go on knowingly and purposefully sinning against Him or if you place your faith in anyone or anything else but Christ for your salvation, it will be worse for you than when you were first lost without Him (Hebrews 10:26-31; 2 Peter 2:20-22).
 
God has made a way for us all to be saved through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). How you respond to His love and grace will make the difference between heaven and hell, eternal life and eternal punishment. Choose life!

Written by Robert Dodson