For This We Labor and Strive

October 19

Man has a problem. He possesses a sin nature from which springs all the world’s problems. Can’t get along with your mother-in-law? The root of the impasse between you is your sin nature. Irascible politicians in Washington botching up the country? They can’t help themselves because they have a sin nature. The tinderbox in the Middle East? Back to that same root cause—sin.

The unfortunate fact is that the most destructive force known to man—sin—is all around us; and not only that, it is within us. It’s an insidious, devastating entity that has attacked the planet and is devouring it. Because of sin there is a dearth of joy within the hearts of men. Without joy, man cannot extend himself in love or hope or goodness or mercy…A man cannot give what he does not possess.

Because of sin, politicians scheme and connive for ascendancy, to aggrandize themselves, to accrue more power. The power elite are helpless to do right for there is no innate goodness within them. They are steeped in sin. Without deliverance from sin, nations rattle their sabers of war because hatred is the fruit of sin and they have gorged themselves on it.

The only way out of the quandary is that stated by Paul in I Timothy 4:9, 10, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves acceptance, and for this we labor and strive, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” If man will believe in Jesus’ propitiatory death for his sins, he can say as Peter quoted David in Acts 2:26, 27, “My heart is glad…I live in hope…”