Dark and empty

July 3, 2006

By Dan Turpin

The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men. It is not a problem of physics but of ethics. It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil from the spirit of mankind.

— Albert Einstein

The chaos surrounding our existence on this planet is a reflection of people’s hearts. The godless void that is so much a part of our modern life creates an element of decay in everything that characterizes modern man. War, unrest among nations, hatred, greed, terrorism and racism express this dark side of human nature.

Will Rogers said, “You can’t say civilization isn’t advancing; in every war they kill you in a new way.” The thirst for passion, power, and pleasure is pushing humanity towards the brink of self-destruction. Industrial, medical and information revolutions have not made things better — things appear to be getting worse.

Why does God allow things to continue as they are? People have asked me time and again, “If God is a God of love, why does He allow millions of starving children to die and go hungry daily?” Why do people suffer?

God isn’t responsible for our atrocities — mankind is. If the nations of the world used their resources for fighting poverty and disease instead of warring against each other, in a short time this planet would become a heaven on earth.

Greed, prejudice, hatred and inner chaos are responsible for a big part of our suffering today. God gave us the ingenuity and resources to make life good, but we are irresponsibly consuming them. Adlai Stevenson said the human race has improved everything except the human race.

Satan, who is described in the Bible as the god of this world, is manipulating humanity’s selfish desires (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:10-12). Genesis speaks of the Earth before creation as being without order, dark and empty; a reflection of what we are without God. The Book of Revelation accurately describes our imminent future as we wildly race towards judgment.

God will not allow the human race to destroy itself. He has a plan for a new heaven and earth. Repentance and faith in God is our hope; we can escape once and for all the chaotic nature that is plaguing us as human beings. God wills to save and transform our lives through the power of His Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is drawing all who hear His voice. If any man or woman is in Christ, all things will become new — even the disorder within our hearts will be transformed through His power (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Dan Turpin is senior pastor of West Coast Church (AG) in Englewood, Fla.