Solving Problems
When we face problems personally or in society we will always hear answers shouted back to us from many different angles. Just the other day I heard someone say that they would control something that they had no control over. How in the world would that ever be accomplished? We as people have come to the point that we confidently believe we have all the answers. We believe that if we use political, social, scientific or even religious means we can solve anything. Is that true? Let’s briefly examine these four ways to solve problems.
Political Solutions
We can be easily tempted to join in a political solution because of the influence of the crowd. Political solutions can be immediate with resources to support the change. The problem is that politicians and political climates change and eventually the reason for change may be lost or forgotten. Political solutions do not last because there will always be another need that pops up demanding attention and change.
Social Solutions
This is a fantastic way to bring change because it feels good to work with others in responding to a need. When there is a need or cause a rallying cry is raised and people respond because it is the right thing to do. The problem is that social solutions have a tendency to address outward needs. Social solutions focus on helping others and many times elevate one person or group above the others in an elitist or snobbish way. Social solutions do not last because people get tired of helping others and many times the money runs out before the problem is solved.
Scientific Solutions
This is the simple reliance on the facts of science. The facts are always correct because they are based on what we can understand on a human level. These facts and truths make complete sense to our way of thinking. Science is based on experiments that prove knowledge and truth. In this line of thinking science has all the answers and there are no other answers. The problem with science is that it is limited to human capabilities, knowledge and measurements. There are questions that science can’t sufficiently answer that require more than just experimental knowledge.
Religious Solutions
These solutions tend to take a deeper look at the heart of the person or group in need. Improper actions are changed because of religious beliefs that are promoted and held as guidelines. Religious solutions are based on moral change. People with religious solutions persuade others to try this certain solution because it is the good way to live. The difficulty with religious solutions is that they can quickly turn into rituals or habits with the belief that this practice is what provides the solution to my life problem. The reason for change is lost or forgotten over time in the habit that makes seems to make one better.
What is the Solution?
By examining each of the previous positions we see strengths but also major flaws. Each of the previous solutions may partially address the need but they do not offer a complete and lasting solution. True lasting solutions are found only through belief by faith in Jesus Christ as savior (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9). There needs to be a heart change, a mind change and action change. In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus states reminds His followers that love must be the central focus. When we truly understand how much God has loved us we will love Him. When we believe and practice that we are loved by God we will truly be able to love others. The passage that Jesus referenced is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. It is known as the Shema which means to hear and obey. We are to hear with our total being; heart, soul and mind; and we are to love with our total being.
When we love God completely we will be able to love others with the same love that we have been shown unconditionally through Jesus Christ. That is a lasting solution to the many problems that our world faces. People need to know that they are loved by God so they can help others love God as well. Our world has twisted the definition of love to mean many incorrect things that seeks the satisfaction of one person over another. The problems that we see in our world or in our lives can be boiled down to either a lack of love for God, a lack of love for others or a combination of the two. God offers a lasting solution to the problems that we face by loving Him completely and totally and loving others. That is the only way to solve problems and provide a lasting solution.
For further thoughts on this subject try reading and studying through the book of Jonah or review some other articles on Jonah. Even though Jonah knew God he allowed his personal pride and prejudice to cloud his understanding of how much God loved other people.
Political Solutions
We can be easily tempted to join in a political solution because of the influence of the crowd. Political solutions can be immediate with resources to support the change. The problem is that politicians and political climates change and eventually the reason for change may be lost or forgotten. Political solutions do not last because there will always be another need that pops up demanding attention and change.
Social Solutions
This is a fantastic way to bring change because it feels good to work with others in responding to a need. When there is a need or cause a rallying cry is raised and people respond because it is the right thing to do. The problem is that social solutions have a tendency to address outward needs. Social solutions focus on helping others and many times elevate one person or group above the others in an elitist or snobbish way. Social solutions do not last because people get tired of helping others and many times the money runs out before the problem is solved.
Scientific Solutions
This is the simple reliance on the facts of science. The facts are always correct because they are based on what we can understand on a human level. These facts and truths make complete sense to our way of thinking. Science is based on experiments that prove knowledge and truth. In this line of thinking science has all the answers and there are no other answers. The problem with science is that it is limited to human capabilities, knowledge and measurements. There are questions that science can’t sufficiently answer that require more than just experimental knowledge.
Religious Solutions
These solutions tend to take a deeper look at the heart of the person or group in need. Improper actions are changed because of religious beliefs that are promoted and held as guidelines. Religious solutions are based on moral change. People with religious solutions persuade others to try this certain solution because it is the good way to live. The difficulty with religious solutions is that they can quickly turn into rituals or habits with the belief that this practice is what provides the solution to my life problem. The reason for change is lost or forgotten over time in the habit that makes seems to make one better.
What is the Solution?
By examining each of the previous positions we see strengths but also major flaws. Each of the previous solutions may partially address the need but they do not offer a complete and lasting solution. True lasting solutions are found only through belief by faith in Jesus Christ as savior (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9). There needs to be a heart change, a mind change and action change. In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus states reminds His followers that love must be the central focus. When we truly understand how much God has loved us we will love Him. When we believe and practice that we are loved by God we will truly be able to love others. The passage that Jesus referenced is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. It is known as the Shema which means to hear and obey. We are to hear with our total being; heart, soul and mind; and we are to love with our total being.
When we love God completely we will be able to love others with the same love that we have been shown unconditionally through Jesus Christ. That is a lasting solution to the many problems that our world faces. People need to know that they are loved by God so they can help others love God as well. Our world has twisted the definition of love to mean many incorrect things that seeks the satisfaction of one person over another. The problems that we see in our world or in our lives can be boiled down to either a lack of love for God, a lack of love for others or a combination of the two. God offers a lasting solution to the problems that we face by loving Him completely and totally and loving others. That is the only way to solve problems and provide a lasting solution.
For further thoughts on this subject try reading and studying through the book of Jonah or review some other articles on Jonah. Even though Jonah knew God he allowed his personal pride and prejudice to cloud his understanding of how much God loved other people.