In the oft-told story, The Times invited several prominent authors answer the question, “What’s Wrong with the World?” G.K. Cheserton provided a brilliantly profound answer that was quite beautiful in its simplicity:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Sincerely yours,
G.K. Chesterton
His words seem convicting. Yet, I feel that they are wholly wrong. This is my take, in light of two points that Tim Challies gives us to consider: I Am and I Am Not.
I Am.
I spread the gospel, but I hinder its power. I hinder the gospel when I am a hypocrite. My actions betray my words. I preach trust in a faithful God; yet I complain at the first inconvenience. I voice God’s divine righteousness; yet I doubt His work in my life. I grasp God’s forgiveness; yet I am the first person to judge the sins of others. I boldly pronounce that I am a new creation; yet sometimes, I live as if God has made no change at all. I am like the Prodigal Son, prone to wander away.
I am what is wrong with the world because I hinder the gospel.
It would appear so, wouldn’t it? But, let’s reconsider.
I Am Not.
Challies writes, “From my human perspective, I am the greatest hinderance to the gospel. But the Bible tells me to look higher. It tells me with glorious clarity that nothing, no one, is able to hinder the gospel.”
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34b-35)
If death could not hold God, what makes me think I can? If Satan cannot stop God, what ridiculous audacity would compel me to suggest that I have the power to do so. No one can tamper with God’s divine will. My confidence is in a God who cannot be stopped, despite my hypocritical unfaithful indifference in spreading the gospel. God is supreme. Is that not enough? Who am I to think that I can stand in the way of God? God the Creator. God the Sustainer. God the Redeemer. God the Everlasting.
So let me ask you, “What’s Wrong with the World today?”
“I am, but nothing is.” God is supreme. God reigns.
