#iCONVICTION – The Answer to the World’s Confusion

The more we focus on the confusion and corruption of the world around us, the more such corrosion begins to live within us. So many people are looking for answers — “What’s the solution to the world’s injustice, violence, and ignorance?” — while missing the sad reality that all of what is occurring around the world is the direct result of an increasingly godless society.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again, bigotry of ANY type is a matter of the heart.  We have collectively lost our way.  We are no longer “one nation under God,” but rather one nation under fog. 
“In God We Trust,” still printed on our money, is a daily reminder and remnant of our discarded past.  Like our dollar, we have lost our value and have moved towards spiritual bankruptcy.
It’s not about figuring out what color matters most because beneath the skin of every man is a colorless ghost. We need to embrace every race and see individuals as souls who need the Good News of Jesus Christ.  He offers true equality because everyone is welcome to be adopted by Him as children. 
It grieves the heart of God to hear people arguing about “whose lives matter” only to miss the mega truth that to the Creator God, ALL life matters, Blues and Blacks, and even the baby that’s aborted because science ignores the facts.
The Bible declares, “Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord” yet we have become a nation that has pushed God out, and then we condescendingly wonder, where’s God?
Nonetheless, there is only one answer to a world that’s fallen, and that’s for the Christian to stand up in their calling—which is putting on Christ’s love and regarding others above ourselves. And that’s not religion; that’s the epitome of every good work and taking action.
Let us not forget that it was Christianity that turned the world upside down in a good way. 
Integrity. It was Christ whose love transcended ancient world rules and traditions, elevating the status of women and children.
Equality. Women flocked to Him and slaves were welcomed into early church fellowships where slave and owner washed each other’s feet. Unity. In the birth of our country, it was Christ’s teaching that was the impetus for the establishment of education, orphanages, hospitals, and every other type of humanitarian effort.
Morality. Even our first colleges and universities began as Bible-proclaiming schools.  Yes—and shock alert—that includes Harvard and Yale (originally Puritan) and Princeton (originally Presbyterian). Harvard was even named after a Christian minister; Princeton’s first-year class was taught by Rev. Jonathan Dickinson; Princeton’s crest still says, Dei sub numine viget,” which is Latin for “Under God, she flourishes.”
It has been followers of Christ (both black and white), who risked their lives to eliminate slavery; it was predominantly Christians who operated the Underground Railroad; it was Christians who hid the Jews from Hitler’s ruthless armies.  Do we see a pattern here?
In other words, true righteous character can only be discovered in a person, not in religion, principles, programs, or presidents. His name is Jesus, and His way is the only answer to the world’s confusion and questions. 
Spoiler Alert: Peace will never exist in the whole of this land, but with Jesus, peace can still exist in the soul of man and that peace can influence others and eliminate prejudice from the inside out.
 
Matthew Maher is a former professional, athlete and author of the newly-released book U MAY B THE ONLY BIBLE SOMEBODY READS: R U LEGIBLE? His “Decisions Determine Destiny” assemblies are funded by State Farm and service youth in the tri-state area. He is also the Director of Student Ministries at Coastal Christian Ocean City. He served four years and seven months in N.J. State prison and was released August 2014. You can learn more at www.themattmaherstory.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattmaherstory and on Instagram @matthewmaher7