It is easy to pick up preaching themes from the world news. There is much that is shocking - and shockingly wrong. We get caught up with evaluating the world - correcting the world - fixing its ills - reforming society. Actually, little needs to be said about the character of the world. It is evil - always has been.

Preaching like the first century? Which apostle preached about corruption in the Roman government? Where is the New Testament’s expose of the decadent, cruel, and insane policies of Caesar - or Herod - or Agrippa? Who led a crusade for justice and fairness in the Roman government? Who demanded liberty? Who opposed the oppressive taxes? Christians, small and great, were noticeably absent from all attempts to revamp society or to restructure nations.

There were no sermons defining how to vote- of course, there was no vote. No one even demanded the right to vote. Democracy was not interwoven into first century Christianity. No patriotic sermons. No Christian led revolts against the system because of its evil. They understood being in the world but not of the world (John 17:14).

Yet, we feel compelled to fix the world where we live - without any biblical principle or precedent. Quit the nonsense! Abandon the impossible task! You will not change the evil world.

What Shall We Do?

Submit as a citizen -- “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). God expects it - even when rulers are far from good. “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 12:1). Rebelling against government may be appealing, but it is not a recommendation to God. You must obey- not only to avoid civil punishment, but also for “conscience sake” (v.5}.

Exercise your rights as a citizen. Paul did -occasionally. “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” (Act.27:25). “For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11). Paul was a Roman citizen, but it was not his obsession. He was much more concerned with his heavenly citizenship. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body,...” (Philippians 3:20). As a citizen, seek the protection of law, enjoy liberty, as you are allowed. You may even complain a little. It is allowed, but lead no crusade about it.

Work with people. What can you do- effectively? You can often effect change in an evil person. Convict them with the word of God. Show them sin in all its ugliness. Let them see the judge - and the fearful and eternal judgment upon sinners. Repentance- a change of life’s direction - may result. For centuries, Christians have been doing that- and dramatically changing lives.

Report the good news of redemption for sinners - even the worst of sinners. Show them the great mercy of the Lord of heaven. Let them envision a new and grand life open before them- with heaven’s gates open at the end. This news will be all the more precious after they realize what it means to be lost. For them, be sure to answer the question: “What must I do to be saved?”

Report the good news of God’s power to transform the character of men. Those who were once “conformed to this world” -- pressed into the world’s mold- can be fully “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). That transformation is exactly what God seeks in man. That transformation demonstrates “what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It is possible to be a new man! - a completely different man! It is possible to be transformed into the very spiritual image of Jesus. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The world is an impossible challenge to correct, reform, or materially influence. Jesus came and went back to heaven; the evil world was little different. Christianity in its height - its most powerful and influential stage - did not change the character of the evil world. And yet from Jesus until now, men have been changed - one by one. Forget reforming the evil world! Do something worthwhile. Be an Andrew; bring a lost soul to Jesus.

-via Bible Comment, Coppell, TX and Gospel Power, Anderson, AL