We are living in troubled times. Saying so is not an exaggeration. You know it. I know it. And daily we are reminded of it when we read the headlines, listen to the politicians, or watch the pundits on the major news networks.
Since October 7 of last year, it seems like the lid to Pandora’s box has been removed and permanently lost because the headlines have been riddled with alarming stories.
Whether it’s the U.S. threatening to take action against Iran because Iran is not fully transparent about the status of its nuclear program (Reuters) or it’s the Houthis promising to stage more attacks in the Red Sea during Ramadan (Breitbart), these are troubling times.
To make matters worse, Iran, China, Russia are set to conduct joint naval drills. The exercise “seeks to showcase the collective capabilities of Russia, Iran, and China in promoting global peace and maritime security” (i24 News).
And then there are issues beyond the borders of Israel and the Middle East which are equally disturbing. According to Bloomberg, India is adding 10,000 troops to its border with China. Breitbart reports that Iran is arming Venezuela with weapons that can reach Miami, Florida. The Associated Press notes that “U.S.-Chinese relations are at their lowest level in decade.” While MSN reports that “The number of Russian spies has hit Cold War levels.”
Here’s the thing, the issue isn’t geopolitical. The problem runs much deeper because the problem is personal, it’s a problem that affects each of us personally.
In April of 1965, Jackie DeShannon recorded a song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach called, “What the World Needs Now is Love.”
What’s interesting is that many other performers also recorded the same song soon thereafter. Why? Because the song struck a chord in the hearts of many who thought love could heal the wounds of a country that was devastated by a war in Vietnam, racial discrimination, and the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963.
The problem is that not much has changed almost 59 years later. Why? Did love fail?
The truth is man’s love does fail and will always fail because the world because the world is asking the wrong question. The correct question is not “What does the world need now?” but “Who does the world need now?”
Who the world needs now is Jesus Christ.
Now, you might be wondering, “Why Jesus?” That’s an excellent question. Why Jesus?
A few years ago, I was studying the Bible and started to reflect on “Who” Jesus is and “How” He has been revealed in the Bible. I began to write down from memory every title, name, and description that referred to Jesus in the Bible. I’d like to share with you what I wrote. . .
Jesus is the Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Word of God, Son of Man, Second Adam, Seed of Woman who crushes the serpent’s head, the Angel of the Lord, Seed of Abraham, Jacob’s Ladder, the Lion of Judah, the Root of Jesse, the Son of David, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prophet, High Priest from the order of Melchizedek, Passover Lamb, our Christ/Messiah (Anointed One), Savior, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Giver of Living Water, the Rock of our Salvation, our Healer, Redeemer, Sanctifier, Intercessor, Advocate, Mediator, Mystery, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Narrow Path, Firstborn of all creation, Firstborn from the dead, the Bridegroom, Head of the Body – the Church, the Radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, the Author and Perfecter of faith, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, King of kings, Lord of lords. All things have been created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and there will come a day when the trumpet will sound and the Lord will descend and all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow before Him for God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above all names, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Again, our world does not need more of man’s feeble attempts to show “love,” our world needs God’s love through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is Who the world needs now.
You see, the personal problem that each of us has is this, we are sinners. In fact, all of us are sinners. . . whether we like this fact or not. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The word “sin” means that we have missed the mark or standard of God’s holiness. All of us have fallen short in our thoughts, words, and actions. No one is perfect.
The Bible tells us that the consequence for our sin is death; separation from God. Romans 6:23 states, “The wages of sin is death.” This means that all of us deserve to die and be eternally separated from God because we have sinned against Him and have fallen short of His perfect standard. The one thing we must remember is that God never sends anyone to hell. We send ourselves there by rejecting the truth of the Bible.
Now, let’s look at the truth about God and what He did so that we can know Him and have a relationship with Him.
The Bible says Jesus Christ took the penalty that we deserved because of our sin and placed it upon Himself and died in our place. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Three days later Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead to prove that He had conquered sin and death and that His claims to be the Son of God were true.
Now, we can be saved from an eternity in hell by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace [undeserved favor] you have been saved [delivered from sin’s penalty] through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one should boast.” The word “faith” means trust. A person must trust or depend on Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and for the gift of eternal life. Feeding the poor or going to church won’t get you to heaven. While these things are good, such things will never save anyone. You must trust in Jesus Christ alone and God will forgive you and give you eternal life as a free gift!
Would you ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior? If so, why not pray right now and tell God you are trusting in His Son for salvation? Remember, it’s not a prayer that saves you; prayer is merely telling God what you are intending to do. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that saves you.
Please pray. . .
“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves punishment. I believe Jesus Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and the gift of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you just prayed, then I am so blessed that you have made this important decision to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. John 5:24 tells us, “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Jesus came to change the world one person at a time and He is committed to transforming your life now and forevermore. Jesus is Who the world needs now.
by Dr. Matthew Dodd | March 13, 2024