No, the world doesn’t seem to be getting any better, nor should we be surprised at this. As long as we leave God out of our lives, evil and corruption will grow unchecked. Jesus said that as the end of the present age approaches we still “will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6).

What’s the problem? The problem isn’t a lack of laws; we have more laws today than ever before. Nor is it a desire for upheavals and conflicts; every survey tells us people want peace and stability. Dozens of organizations have dedicated themselves to the search for peace to no avail. Helpful or necessary as these may be, they ultimately fail because they don’t get to the root of the problem.

The real problem, the Bible says, is within us — within our own hearts and minds. Instead of being concerned for others and putting them first, our tendency is to put ourselves first. And if everyone is like this, it leads inevitably to conflict. Jesus put it this way: “It is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7:21-22).

But this isn’t the whole story! Someday, Christ will come again, and all evil and injustice will be destroyed. Why does He delay? One reason is to give us every possible opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Is your hope in Jesus Christ? Don’t delay, but open your heart and life to His transforming power — beginning today.

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