Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/9/2007

Question
Mr Abrams, I am an Independent Fundamental Missionary Baptist teacher of the KJV 1611 and have been many years at a small country church in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina.  I will be the first to stand and say I am far from perfect for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  But sir, as I write these words I am shedding great tears not only on the outside; but inside, my heart is miserably broken for the things I witness each day.  Oh my God!  Where is your people that truly love you?  Where have they gone?  Help me to understand the agony.  For God so loved the world...oh God help me.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...

Mr Abrams, out of all these "experts", I don't know why God led me your direction, but I ask you this one thing...can you shed the light and ease my pain?  I love the Lord with all my heart and soul, yet it is broken.  Oh God...forgive us of our sin

Answer
Hi Buddy,
    What you are experiencing many others are too.    It is sad but true that many people are not loving and really care nothing about others.   The carnal or old nature of man is selfish and thinks only of itself.   Romans 3:10-18 states this sad truth.  
     Jesus explained it in John 3:16-21.   Verses 19-20 say, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."  (John 3:19-20)
      Romans 1:18-21 also explain how that unbelieving men know the truth, but bring condemnation on themselves because they reject the love of God.
      2 Timothy 3:2-9 addresses what sin does in the lives of men who do not believe.
      1 John 4:8 states that God is love.   He is the source of love and those that reject Him are not capable of truly loving others.    
      Knowing the truth and the source of problems we face helps us to bear the heartache and trials.    James 1:2-4 gives us God's solution.    We ask God for wisdom and strength and He helps us through our problems.   It does not mean that the problem goes away, but that we understand why the problem exists and have the Lord's help in coping with it.
      People are truly unloving.
      However, the true believer has Jesus Christ in their life and the Holy Spirit to give them strength to have peace in our hearts when things around us are raging.    
      Do not allow those who do not show love rob you of your peace and joy in Jesus Christ.
      God says,   "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)
       It is easy to let such trials as you are having get you down.  But the key to overcoming them is to stop thinking about ourselves and to think about others.   See the lack of love in others as a reason to earnestly pray for them.   Get busy serving the Lord in whatever way you can.  God has given you talents to use for Him as Ephesians 4:1 and 7 state.  Apply Ephesians 5:18...and let the Holy Spirit guide you.    If you spent all your time being distraught and letting depression control you...you will be miserable and defeated.   
      This life is temporary and one day we will be with the Lord....then there will be no more tears, sorrow and pain.   But until then, we must comfort ourselves with God promise and help. We must see our difficulties as a way to honor the Lord as we go through the trials of life living by faith and trusting in Him.
       I hope this helps.   Turn to God's word and prayer and trust the Lord.   "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5)
       If you have further questions or comments please write.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2