Why Is the World Broken?

It is hard to deny that the world we live in is broken. Terribly broken. We are constantly bombarded with news of senseless shootings and terrorist attacks. Wars continue without end. Natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods claim many lives each year. Despite our wonderful modern medical technology, thousands and thousands of people die every year of cancer, stroke, diabetes, or some severe infection.

Beyond this, we see greed, poverty, abuse, jealousy, racism, and seemingly every possible manifestation of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. It’s an ugly picture. This world is broken and can’t seem to find its way.

It is obvious there is suffering in the world, but God is not to blame. Whose fault is it then? Quite simply, it is our fault. The world is broken because of our sin. Most people fail to factor this into the equation.

In the perfect paradise, God was in control, just as He is today. He was in authority, and He established rules. Adam and Eve were told not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were given a choice. Obey and live. Disobey and die. Mankind chose to disobey, and the suffering we see and experience is a consequence of that rebellion against our Creator.

God certainly could take away all evil, but in the process we would be gone along with it. After all, we are not good. We are all sinners. Every person descended from Adam and Eve. Each one of us has a sinful nature and has sinned by breaking God’s rules.

Sin must be judged. That is just and right. However, our God is not only the righteous judge, He is also a God of love. Even before the foundation of the world, God had a plan.

Jesus Christ would be born into this world that we might be redeemed. He would be that perfect sacrifice and take our sin upon Himself on the Cross at Calvary. He defeated death so we could spend eternity in Heaven  if we repent of our sin and put our faith and trust in Him.

Yes, our world is broken. The trials and suffering we experience often seem too much to bear. But our time on earth is just the blink of an eye compared to an eternity in Heaven.

The groaning of the world around us and the grief that afflicts each of us is an ever-present reminder of the horrible price of sin. But Jesus Christ paid that price on the cross and rose from the dead in victory. Never forget the hope that we have in Christ.

—Dr. Tommy Mitchell, © Answers in Genesis, used by permission