We often engage in goodwill efforts to attempt to right these wrongs in society, as we should. Christians frequently call these efforts “missions”. Being materialistic we tend to focus our efforts on evangelizing those poorer than us. We attempt to bring about material change; like building better housing, providing clean water, offering medical care or providing opportunities for micro enterprise.

Such efforts are noble and must be done, yet they fail to address the root of the problem. Those who focus their efforts on raising the economic / political status of the oppressed are horrified at how quickly the oppressed become oppressors and marginalized their neighbors.

The core issue isn’t income inequality or poverty. I live in Vanuatu. The people here are poor, but they are happy. Vanuatu is frequently labeled, “The happiest place on Earth.” Ironically the counties in the US with the highest per capita incomes also have the highest per capita prescription rate of antidepressants. Wealth makes life easier but it doesn’t make people happy and fulfilled. Poverty makes life hard but doesn’t make people unfulfilled and unhappy.

But what about evil and injustice?

You need to understand, the central problem of humanity is not that people make mistakes and need a system of ethics to be better people, to create a better society. Religion, almost any religion or serious philosophy can achieve that. In the nation of Taiwan, a buddhist country, you leave your phone on the table to save a place at the food court. Try that in America, you will loose both your table and your phone. Yet the same society that protects your phone legally allows 14 year old girls to be sold to brothels. You see, even though religion can create a relatively safe, just society human brokenness still manifests itself.

So what is wrong with the world?

The core issue is that all have sinned Rom 3:23, and sin produces spiritual death Rom 6:23 and James 1:15 and that the only remedy for Spiritual Death is to be born again John 3. Only those who believe on Jesus Christ experience this new birth John 1:12-13. Many Atheists, Buddhist, Hindus or Muslims are good people, but spiritually they are dead because neither religion or philosophy produces spiritual life. Only Christ offers new life.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good or good people better, though he does that. He didn’t come to create a just society, though he does that. He didn’t come to make poor people rich though he often does that too. He came to make dead people live.

And that is the wonder of the Gospel.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” – Colossians 2:1