Why isn’t the world better? Why aren’t things more peaceful and anxiety-free? Why are people so ugly and cruel? Why isn’t there more beauty around us? Why can’t this world feel a bit more perfect?
There are many ways to answer those questions, but St. John answers them in a rather interesting way in our reading from his first epistle this morning. He says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
In other words, if the world seemed perfect, you would love it. And that would destroy you. And if you doubt that, just look around.
World poverty is at an all time low. What have we done with these gifts? What did we do when God freed us from hunger and poverty? We made ourselves slaves of gluttony and mammon. God has given us far greater peace than most men in history have ever known. What have we done with that peace? We’ve established a military that seems more interested in flying the rainbow flag than the stars and stripes. God freed us from war. We warred against Him when we became slaves to our lust. Today, through technology, God has given us access to more books and wisdom and knowledge than most people in history could dream. God has freed us from ignorance. And what have we done with it? We’ve made ourselves slaves to pornography, rage, and foolishness. The moral of the story is, when God gives you an earthly gift, something closer to a perfect world, your sinful nature immediately turns that into the means of your destruction.
So don’t hunger for a more perfect world because the world can’t save you. Hunger for Jesus Christ, your Savior. Hunger for His salvation. Look to the wounds of Christ and you will find something far greater than a world that seems a bit more perfect. You’ll find something actually perfect. You’ll find the perfect God wrapping His arms around you and clothing you in His perfection, perfection you will see in all its glory when He lifts you up from the grave and welcomes you into the new world, the new heavens and earth.