You know many of us wonder about this world. The "state" it is in.

Where it comes from, and where it is going. 

   ....Better yet? Where "we" have come from, and where we are going!

We look around and we see so much more straying from morals. From God, from everything we know to be right and true.

We see a world in need, hurting broken. Wars, rumors of war (Matt. 24:6), human trafficking, drugs, abuse and the list goes on and on and onnnnnnnn.......

And churches that have strayed so far from the truth. Allowing, and approving of unhealthy relationships (which God forbade). Some even having "dog worship" services. To "blessing of dogs". Straying from what church is really all about.

Feeding vanity, hobbies and people's obsessions. Even going so far as to deny the One who bought them at a very high price. And as unbelievable to many of us as this may seem. We were warned about this, many years ago, by the apostle Peter:

 "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction."

                               (2 peter 2:1 NKJV)

Sound familiar?

And we all sit and wonder, "what is wrong with the world?"

And our response?

We are quick to point the finger at others. But rarely do we ever look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "Am I part of this?"

You see we are all so quick to look at what's wrong with the world. At others around us. But rarely do we ever look within ourselves. Rarely do we ask the hard questions, "What part do I have in all this?", "How do I add, or take away from this?"  ...Not only that, but "How is my life in the eye's of God?"

You see, I was sitting this morning. Thinking about the state this world is in. Thinking about the fact that the vote to have casinos here in the state of Ohio just passed not long ago, narrowly, but passed. I was thinking of the man who would go to these casinos and spend what little money he has left to "get rich quick". While his wife and children wait at home for that money to be fed. I was thinking of a church I Passed by. A sign out front read, "blessing of the dogs". While there are those outside starving for the love and touch of God! I was thinking of churches I read about that believe dogs have immortal souls. Even ones that believe that the Spirit of God resides within dogs!

      ...And I could not help, but think, "What is this world coming too?"

But as I was sitting there. Sad in disbelief, that as a world we are so far from God, and getting further way.The Lord spoke to my heart.

 "What am I doing in this world to change it?" "Do I stand up and speak the truth to others (in love of course, Eph. 4:15, Zech. 8:16), or do I keep silent?" Not wanting to make "waves". Not wanting to offend others. Not wanting to be labeled "intolerant", as the world seems to put it these days. In other words, anything that would question the sin and morality of this world. Things the world does not want to be reminded of!

 ...So what if I am keeping silent?

There are some questions I need to ask myself first. Even before I am asking "What am I doing to change the world". Those questions? I first need to ask myself. "How is my relationship with the Lord?" My prayer, my study, my worship time? ...For that matter, do I allow myself to be led by Him, His will?

You see it all comes down to this. How can I sit and complain about the world. Think about what others are doing to make it worse. While not looking at my own heart first?

You know many of us look at the state of this world and we want to cry our hearts out. And rightly so! But we have to consider this. What are we doing to change it? And how are our hearts? Are they right before God?

In other words. Where am I in my relationship with God? Do I spend the necessary time with Him? Now, I don't mean am I praying at all. If I am? This is a good start. But do I spend more than five minutes with Him at a time? Do I take the time to read His word and get close to Him, worship Him? Is He really at the forefront of my life? Or does He take a back seat?

You see we all complain. We all get frustrated, feel sad and "help-less" over a world in need. But often times we want to respond in a worldly way. Instead of a godly way. We want to try and change this world without God, on our own! But what we have to understand that to have lasting and real change, only comes from, and through God! And this change MUST be a "heart change".

The same change within our hearts, when we first came to Christ (and we need to have every day since!):

 "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

                               (John 3:3 NKJV)

Remember? Real change can only come through God! Through His Son Jesus Christ (JN 6:38-40):

 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

                                 (John 14:6 NKJV)

After all, we must ALWAYS remember, He is the author of all things:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

                         (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)

Not us!

And it is only by, and through Him, that this world can change.

You see deep down, the world wants change! No one really wants war, crime, Abuse. Nor a prostitute that deep down in her, "heart of hearts", wants to sell herself, while her child is waiting at a friends home for her! Or even worse? While she is with her!

But we live in a spiritually and physically fallen world. Where no one can just, "will" change to happen.

Any change without God is not lasting. It is superficial, not real. You see in order for the world to really change. It does not need people's behavior to change. It needs a heart change of the people!

And even when the heart is changed, we have to allow Him to live through us:

 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

                             (John 15:5 NKJV)

And continue to change us:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

                             (John 15:1-1 NKJV)

Continually!

And what comes out?

  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

                               (Galatians 5:22-24 NKJV)

Real change!

The other way, without Him? Would be like sticking a band aid on a cut. The band aid is not healing the cut. It's only treating a symptom of the cut. It's only covering it up. It cannot heal. Nor can changing one's behavior change the person! It can only change a "symptom" of the real problem. The real problem? Our sin! The condition of the human heart.

Before we begin to want to change the world. Or even begin to wonder why the world is so "messed up". We need to look within our own hearts, honestly. And we need to check ourselves. How is my own relationship with God? With the One who loved me so much, that He gave me everything He had, Himself.

Now, if I can honestly say it is good? Than I need to look around this world and ask the Lord. "Lord, what is it you want me to do, what is my part?" But if I cannot say this? I need to look at my own relationship with God. Before looking to this world. Or trying to help others.

You see if my relationship with God is not healthy. If I'm not taking it seriously. How can I expect others too?

You see real change can only come through Jesus Christ. Change in this world. Change within ourselves!

So before we go looking outside at the world. The "state" it is in. All that is wrong with it. Let's look within ourselves first.

What is the "state" of our hearts?

 "Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?"

                          (2 Corinthians 13:5 Amp. B.)