Why are things the way they are in our
world? Why is there so much violence and misery? Our history is marked by oppression
and wars. In fact, we generally trace history through powerful empires who have
exerted their will upon others by force. But where does greed, hatred,
violence or anger come from? We teach our children to “be good” but where do
they learn to “be bad”?
The Bible tells us that we are the way we
are because we inherit the basic nature of our forefather Adam. “Through one
man [Adam] sin entered the world.” We don’t learn immorality greed, violence etc.
because we don’t have to. It’s in us! It will always come out given the right
set of circumstances.
Rules (don’t steal, don’t lie etc) can’t address
this basic problem. Rules may “control” behavior but they can’t change “me.” There
is something fundamentally wrong with human nature and “religious soap” can’t
clean us up. When Jesus said “You must be born again” (John 3:7) He was
addressing mans’ greatest need; a new nature, a new life!
We cannot “fix” sin by dealing with the symptoms
(drugs, sex, anger etc). Remember, God’s standard for “good” is Himself … perfection!!
Are you that “good”? There is a “root” problem. “You must be born again.”