The Root Problem

What is wrong with the world?

I think we have all asked that question and may have a few thoughts:
The liberals. The conservatives. The Muslims. The Jews. The nominal Christians. The education system. The welfare system. The capitalist system.

We have lots of ideas as to what causes this world to be so utterly messed up. We assume that as we advance through decades and centuries, the world gets better, but the opposite often seems true.

What is wrong with the world?

The famous preacher G. K. Chesterton famously penned these words: “What is wrong with the world? I am. I’m what’s wrong with the world. The world doesn’t get sorted out unless I do.”

We keep hoping and believing that the next candidate, the newest policy, or the best economic system is going to cure systemic poverty, racism, and, bluntly, sinfulness. Spoiler alert: it won’t.

You and I are the problem. They and them are the problem. We are selfish, arrogant, greedy people who care more about self than others. We are the problem, and that is not easily fixed. Maybe this is why Jesus taught us to focus on the log in our own eye before the speck in our neighbor’s.

What can we do to begin fixing ourselves?

Acknowledge your faults and failures.
Confess your sinfulness and selfishness.
Recognize that you are to blame, not just others.

You are a vile sinner who deserves eternal separation from a holy God, and yet, by mercy you could never earn, you have been offered everlasting life with Him.

There is no need to pretend any longer. God knows. God sees. God recounts better than you can the despicable things you have thought, done, and said! Rather than continue to act high and mighty, the call of God is to be humble and lowly.

The best antidote we can use to combat the problem of sin in our lives is confession. Listen to this definition of confession: “We say we believe in grace, but confession is how we actually trust what we already believe.”

Confession is putting God to the test. Will He truly forgive me if I expose all that I have done? Can I really be loved after how I have chosen to live?

Confession takes deep faith in the character of God, but it also transforms our understanding of God. It teaches us that we can share with Him anything and everything. It helps us pray bolder, live bolder, and speak bolder. Why? Because while we know we are part of the problem with the world, we also know the One who is the solution for it!