Something is Wrong
We don’t need to look very far to realize something is wrong in our world. Something is not as it should be. Now I am not saying that everything is wrong. I am not saying that we don’t see anything good in our world. We do! From people helping people, advancements in the medical and technology fields, and a greater understanding of our environment, we see good. However, if we are to take an honest look, we also notice something is broken. Something is not as it should be. This is a problem common to us all.
Symptoms
This common problem is what the apostle Paul saw when he looked around the world in which he lived. In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes the effects of brokenness. In (Romans 1:21ff), Paul describes a people who did not glorify God. They were not thankful. They became empty in their thoughts, and their hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. Instead of glorifying and worshiping their Creator, they worshiped created things. Paul continues through this chapter to list the symptoms of a fallen and broken creation.
True Blindness
However, before we can too quickly point fingers at others, Paul assures us that we all have brokenness in common. Talking to those who were religious, who were quick to pass judgment on others, Paul wrote, “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2: 3). Some refused to acknowledge their brokenness. Looking around at others, they refused to recognize that they did the very same things. They had a false sense of security. Feeling they were a light to the blind, a light to those in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher (ref. Rom. 2: 19-20). Teaching others, they had failed to understand themselves.
Looking Around
Paul, looking around his world, sees the symptoms of a fallen and broken creation. Realizing something is wrong leads him to conclude, “…all are under sin” (ref. Rom. 3: 9). Paul saw the effects of sin taking its toll—a toll that is common to us all.
The Answer
With creation broken and the results of sin that devastates all around, where is the answer for brokenness? As Paul stated, the answer is in Jesus Christ, and available to all who trust in Him (ref. Rom. 3: 22). Through God’s Messiah, Jesus, He is working to renew and restore all creation, including those like ourselves who are broken by sin. The hope for creation and of a fallen and broken people is given through the sacrifice of Jesus. In Christ, we can be made whole, and we can stand as those whose guilt is not accounted to them. Through God’s amazing grace, He offered His Son Jesus as a payment to heal the brokenness. It is up to each of us to trust Him and trust that His payment was sufficient to cover our sin.
God is moving in our world today. Things are broken, but some things are very good. As we look around our world today, I hope we have the wisdom to acknowledge both. God is working to renew and restore. He is working to heal the brokenness. The renewal starts with us. As God moves to heal and restore, we join with Him as new humanity working to fulfill His purposes.
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notes:
Scripture References: The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.