Q. With all the upsets and problems, can we really believe that God is in charge?
A. The Scriptures announce, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psa. 24:1,2). So the Bible teaches that God made the world and it belongs to Him. We can be sure, therefore, that He presides above it all. Paul speaks about Jesus Christ and says, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col. 1:16). The upsets and problems do not come because God is inattentive or unloving. They come because of the sinfulness of man. The nations of the world and each unsaved individual continually chooses that which is contrary to the will of God. So the Scriptures say, “There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God” (Rom. 3:10,11). The wreckage of the culture is allowed by God but is caused by man’s wrong choices.

Q. How then can things be straightened out?
A. Things are in bad shape in the world because “they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:12). Therefore, things cannot be straightened out until human sin is taken out of the hearts of men and they conduct their lives in accordance with the will of God. Human sin cannot be erased except by the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed on Calvary. The Scripture teaches that the world, as such, will not believe and turn to God. The world, in fact, is treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. We should labor, therefore, not primarily to straighten out the world, but to prepare individual people for their home in heaven, which will come to all who believe in Christ.

Q. Why does God call us to serve Him? If He is all powerful, why does He need us?
A. God chooses to use redeemed people to preach the Gospel to a lost generation. We are believeable conduits of the Gospel. By serving God we become instruments in His hands, witnesses to His grace. We are then also prepared to move from this world into our eternal opportunities, joys and responsibilities in the world to come. This world is not an end in itself, it is a preparation for heaven.

Q. Isn’t it cruel of God to allow His children to suffer and then die in this world?
A. It would seem so, but Paul said, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). Until then, we are “waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). When we are saved, it is the spirit of man which is redeemed. His body is not yet redeemed, rescued from corruption, but this will happen when Christ comes again for His own. The atonement, therefore, applies to the soul, the spirit of man, but not yet to his physical body.

Q. How can I retain my enthusiasm to live and work for Christ?
A. The Scripture says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). The best way to stay enthusiastic for Christ is to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:2-4). Then, best of all, lead a soul to Christ today.