Hope of the World

The hope of the world is not in government but in God.

“The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the men had built. […] The LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth. […] There the LORD confused the language of all the earth.”—Genesis 11:5, 8–9 NASB

A fascination with anarchy is based on a denial of authority. As scholar Alex Butterworth has described, their ultimate aim is “to usher in a society of perfect beings; a heaven on earth.” This means destroying the old order, so a perfect world can emerge.

Anarchists conceive complex plots that lead to bombings and assassinations. Although they succeed in causing chaos, death, and destruction, they utterly fail in their vision to create a perfect world.

Their efforts remind us of the people who built the Tower of Babel, a monument to human pride and achievement. God put all their human efforts in context by confusing their language, so they abandoned the project.

Different theories about government and politics abound. As believers, we must remember that God calls us to be ambassadors for His Kingdom. Jesus said we’re to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–14).

However, we are far from perfect. We must remember that all of us “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that “there is no righteous person, not even one” (Romans 3:10, 23).

Seek to use the resources God has given you to make a difference. Help the poor and needy. Pray for the sick. Share the Word.

Remember, you’ll only find perfection in Christ. The hope of the world is not in governments but in the Gospel.

Reflection Question: Where are you placing your hope today?