Man cannot do it.
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein
Einstein was right unless society can create and maintain a decent condition of life for all men, we cannot call ourselves as a society civilized.
Throughout the history of man there have been a lot if you will “experiments” in societal change. Communism is a classic example. It promised a great deal yet when put into practice in the Soviet Union it failed. It is failing in China where social conditions are for some worse than in some democracies.
Democracies are no different. All western democracies have people who are suffering. In the United States millions go without health care. In Canada were I live, aboriginal communities are living in what amounts to third world conditions. In Europe many people live under the poverty line. Be it under communism or in a democracy there are many unemployed.
Around the world people are dying of curable illnesses or of starvation that can be overcome.
World wide terrorist murder it seems at will saying they are trying to make a better world. Yet forget about God’s law not to kill.
Frankly I think it is beyond the capability of man to create a world that offers a decent condition of life to all men. The political will is just not there. I believe only God can solve the problem.
Someone asked me why doesn’t God provide for all men. To which I reply with words from the Talmud that says,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
James the half brother of Christ said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20
Unfortunately man has forgotten his obligation to help his fellow man. Many faith groups do help the poor but still there is a not enough done.
I believe God has given man a set amount of time not only to turn to Him but to help those around him. I can see a day when what the Talmud describes will happen the Talmud saying,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
Sadly I can also see a time when the parable of Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus could be a reality for some. Jesus saying,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31.
I think such a thing is happening today. Jesus rose from the dead. Christians have been presenting the teachings of Christ around the world for centuries now. Yet society still has a myriad of problems.
People have lost their fear of God and while many are doing what they can to honour God and help their fellow man many more are not.
The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Please think about it.
