I ran across a quote today by Dr. Charles Malik, President of 13th session of the United Nations General Assembly and leading author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It said so much to me that I want to share it with you. “The needs of the world are deeper than political freedom and security, much deeper than social justice and economic development, much deeper than democracy and progress. The deeper needs of the world belong to the sphere of the mind, the heart and the spirit, a sphere to be penetrated with the light and grace of Jesus Christ.” Dr. Malik’s quote is embraced by an organization called the Christian Embassy to the United Nations. They were founded in 1975, yet when I look at their website only 2,954 people have visited the site as of the date of my viewing. Data like this surprises me, yet doesn’t surprise me at all.
What I see is an honest and genuine effort by believers to logically present or argue truth to a world which has no interest in anything except their own agenda. They perceive their nation’s urgent issues as more important than the healing solution. It reminds me of much of today’s medicine – cut out the tumor rather than finding the source of the malignancy. The reality is that the world is focused on the here and now, while we as believers are focused on the impact of the here and now on our eternity. These are two very different mindsets.
World governments and systems will not embrace a faith in Christ Jesus, people must – and therein is the part that is not surprising. World systems do not enter the Kingdom of God, people do. I know you know that, but everyone of us gripes and grumbles about our or other government’s inappropriate stances and decisions. Therefore it is up to us as individuals, not governments, to see that we do our part to impact the freedom, security, social justice, economic development and/or democracy as we have a capacity. We are the only Jesus some will see.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says this: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” The word does not say the United Nations should do this, it says we are His ambassadors in our little corner of the world. It is not your responsibility to save the world. If it was, He would provide you with an international platform. However, even then you are only accountable for your efforts, not the results. As Billy Graham often said “People come into the Kingdom one at a time.”
Most of us hate what war, famines and disease does to nations. I know that today, as well as since the beginning of time, some worry, fret and spend hours berating those events, yet they have not disappeared because of sin. World events should be a part of your prayers, but your focus should be where God planted you, not worrying about something outside of your realm of responsibility. Who knows, if you are faithful with little He may move you to a position of greatness. However, in the mean time there is someone at work, school or play who needs to see Jesus. They need to see Him in you.
Love Dad