John 3:13–17
There is a lot of hate, anger, and backstabbing in the world today. We can only trust ourselves. Because of selfishness, our relatives, close friends, and coworkers betrayed us in other ways. How can this happen when so many of us are believers who have put our faith in God? Is this the world we live in today, which is called the condemned world? The answer to these questions was found in our gospel reading: God did not send the Son into the world to condemn it, but so that the world might be saved through him (verse 17).
It was the world made by people that God never condemned. People are never happy with what they have; instead, they want to get what they want. One reason our relationship with God is broken is because people use the world’s resources in bad ways. Another reason for brokenness is how we get along with other people. The family broke apart (Luke 14:26), and the idea of playing god is everywhere. People in the world aren’t looking for the truth; instead, they get lost in myths (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
So, changing resources makes it harder to get eternal life. The government, especially the lawmakers, stole money that was supposed to be used for flood control. People were controlled and manipulated by this widespread corruption. Corruption is not a myth; it is a system that elected and appointed officials take advantage of. This time, moral institutions like the church and its groups, schools, universities, and other educational institutions, as well as civil society groups, must work together to find out the truth about this obviously illegal scheme.
We are not dying for Filipinos; we are dying because politicians are playing gods to us. We need to be honest about this because our children’s future is at stake. Our fight against government corruption is a real answer to God’s call for us to seek truth and justice. “The truth shall set us free,” says the Gospel of John (8:32).
On September 21, the call from God to go out and speak out against the widespread corruption of government officials and their associates will be condemned. Jesus told us to be careful in this world, but we must speak out against corrupt officials because evil forces are all around us. This action on Sunday is a big sign that the Filipinos will meet to announce the day of reckoning, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In short, God loves the world so much that He sent Jesus to fix it so that it would be like it was when He made it. In 1 John, the believers were told not to get too attached to the world or anything in it because God is not with this world (2:15–17). It means that everyone wants something. Desire and divine love are opposing concepts in relation to the will of God for eternal life. The Apostle Paul also told the believers that the world had a pattern that could change and renew our minds so that we would become materialistic people (Romans 12:2). This method does not help you do what God wants you to do perfectly.
Yes, this world is real, but it seems that the human system runs things, so it doesn’t always follow God’s plans and wishes. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world,” let’s do what he said. (Matthew 5:14). We need to let the light of Christ shine through the darkness of this world as believers. We must build a new heaven and earth for the good of the people who live there. Believing in God is one of the most courageous things we can do that helps us shine in this world.
Pray
As the day of judgment draws near, please help us make sure that our progress toward change is not blocked. We ask for the Holy Spirit to come down on us and save our country and bring back its glory. We ask this through Your great grace. Amen.
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Prof. Ruel D. Garcia is a theology professor at La Consolacion University Philippines as well as the former editor-in-chief of the International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion (IJCHR.paschr.ph).
