Written on 9/11/2001, just after the attacks on New York and Washington D.C.

Our news media can feed us information like never before, but information is not the same as real answers. We can find out what and how, who and where...but seldom do we know why.

In times of national tragedy and international uncertainty, there is a great demand for answers--and a very short supply. The evils we've witnessed today provoke us to ask some of life's deepest questions:

- How can people do these things to one another?
- Why is evil allowed to happen?
- Is there any hope for humanity and world peace?
- Is there anything that is safe?

AbsoluteTruth.Net is committed to providing real answers according to Biblical truth. It is our conviction that God's Word contains answers to the most difficult of human issues...even those tragic events that have transpired before our eyes.

THIS IS NOTHING NEW

The first terrorist act, one might say, was committed by Cain a few thousand years ago against his brother Abel. Since that killing recorded in Genesis 4, millions upon millions have died due to the greed, selfishness, lust, hatred, and bitterness of others. Today, what we see in the Middle East conflict, or what we witnessed in New York City and Washington, is only an advanced case of the 'disease' of sin that has destroyed and killed people since the beginning. The most chilling reality, which many find hard to admit, is that all of us are plagued by this disease.

Most of us would never consider slamming an airplane into a building or car bombing a restaurant, but still the seed of evil is planted in each of our hearts. It is this seed, when left unchecked, that grows into the hatred, racism, divorce, abuse, murder, terrorism, and perversion that we witness daily. The Bible is clear that "there is none righteous, no, not one," and again, "all we like sheep have gone astray…"

Those who put forward the idea that people are basically good at heart certainly have trouble explaining the repeated and senseless acts of violence we read about each and every day...and the reason is simple. People are not "good" at heart.

God designed us "good" in the beginning, but the pollution of sin poisoned us all. From the schoolyard fights of third-graders to school-shootings, from child abuse to international terrorism, one fact keeps rearing it ugly head: sin is everywhere. Things are not getting any better. People are not good. No weapons treaty, diplomatic agreement, self-esteem education, or tear-jerking news report has been able to stem the tide of evil.

GOD HAS THE ANSWER

It is futile for us to believe that we can reverse the effects of sin in our world without reversing the cause. Only by our willingness to obey the Creator is there hope for a bright, peaceful and purposeful future. Without Him, we are lost in a sea of selfish indulgence that leads only to suffering, death, and more death. Repeatedly throughout history, God has given humanity chance after chance to come to Him in repentance and find life; and time after time we have rejected His offers of mercy.

It is certain that God does not want people to slaughter one another, or to commit any other perverted evil that would cause pain to His beloved creation. However, until we decide to serve and love Him and one another, the streams of blood and tears will never stop flowing.

The Bible speaks again and again of the choice God has given humanity. Will we live according to His principles and find joy and life, or will we reject His standards and reap the natural consequences of our rebellion? Consider the Word of God:

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you...But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life…" Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NIV)

Again, the Bible states in the New Testament:

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8)

It seems that in the United States, and indeed around the world, we have forgotten (ignored) God's promises and warnings. If any good could come out of the tragedies we have seen, perhaps it will be in the fact that people are forced to look again at the Creator's purpose for life and ask life's deepest questions.

WHY DO EVIL THINGS HAPPEN?

Because mankind has rebelled against God, His plan, and His Law. Without God's leadership in our lives and nations, chaos is the eventual result. Personally, our lives fall apart. Nationally, we lose our purpose and our freedom. Since the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve chose to reject God's plan for their lives, evil has affected every person ever born.

WHY DOES GOD LET EVIL THINGS HAPPEN?

Certainly God, being all-powerful, could stop all evil and take away our free choices. He could wipe us all out, or he could turn us all into mindless robots who do not choose for themselves.

But God loves us too much to do that.

His goal is to have people turn to Him in repentance and live by His design. The Bible says that "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance."

God is just as broken-hearted as we are in the wake of tragedy...in fact, more so. It was His broken heart over the sinful rebellion of His creations, and His undying love for them, that drove Him to send His own Son Jesus to rescue humanity. But still, we must choose to follow Him.

WHAT IS SAFE? WHAT CAN I TRUST?

Unfortunately in uncertain times many people put their trust in world leaders or military might. As important as this may be, our trust should never rest solely in men.

The only safe haven, the only secure bunker, is not a physical one.

Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mt. 11:28-29)

The only person worth trusting with your future and security is Jesus. No matter what happens in this world...for better or for worse Jesus will be with you always. The security He gives is the security of the soul...and assurance that no matter what happens, we can rest in His grace and His promise of eternal life. Nothing in this world is secure--no investment, no nation, no home--as God has said: "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

IS THERE HOPE FOR WORLD PEACE?

Again, hope is not found in this world. As long as people reject their Creator God and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, peace will never be found. Every treaty ever signed in the history of the world is eventually broken. Every leader who brings peace eventually falls.

The Bible warns of a time when people finally say 'Peace, peace' and it prophecies that even then, war and violence are inevitable and imminent. Peace can and will be established only under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

For today, the only way to achieve temporary peace is through strength and military might--but even as we labor to have armed forces that can protect our freedom and that of our allies, we must never loose sight of the big picture. True freedom, security, and peace are found in the Lord.

CONCLUSION : WHAT TO DO NOW

Our hearts sunk within us as we heard the news of the United States being attacked. As military and political groups discuss how they can prevent such horrific events from repeating themselves in the future, each of us has a responsibility to do our part. The threat is not over. Sin is always crouching at the door waiting for opportunities to tear apart families, kill the innocent, abuse the hurting, and destroy the loving purposes of God. We must turn back to Him and accept His plan for life.

God alone can give us hearts that are pure and "eager to do good."

The Bible says: "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."   (Titus 2:11-14)

Steps of Action to Take:

*Make sure your relationship with God is right. (learn more)
*Pray for peace and protection from God. Pray that the people of every nation would see their responsibility to love God and keep His commands. (learn about prayer)
*Read and live Jesus' "Formula for Peace" found in Matthew 5--7

Daniel W. Jarvis -- Absolute Truth Ministries (Sept. 11, 2001)

Related Resources

War & Terrorism
Read more on these important issues.

Suffering
Why does God allow evil things to happen? And how can I cope with tragedy?

Purpose
Why does God have us here to begin with? What's the point of life? Can my life really count for anything?

Purpose Theology
Some theologians blame God for all the evils of the world, instead of embracing the clear truth of the Bible.

Sharing Good News
There is only one way to forever stop evil - sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world.