Towards Excellence

“The nature of the human being is not inherently good, their heart is plagued by sin, and until we come to genuine repentance before our Creator, our heart will experience serious conflicts, a lack of genuine peace…”

As of the publication date of this article, the media bombards us with news about the prolonged war between Ukraine and Russia; violent protests in France that degenerated into, among other things, looting and street fires are still making headlines; and deaths from violent crimes in Ecuador are counted in the dozens, while the country is plagued by a territorial war between rival criminal organizations, as reported by media.

If we analyze throughout history, wars have occurred due to a series of factors mostly related to disputes between nations, territories, ethnic groups, followers of religions, beliefs, or ideologies, due to socio-economic inequalities, human rights violations, and in general, responses to aggression, among other factors.

Unfortunately, the attacks or hostile acts of one nation or group towards another can even provoke military responses and, ultimately, lead to what we all know as war.

But why do these disputes, attacks, or hostile acts occur? Yes, beyond the visible root: religious beliefs, geopolitical ambitions, inequalities. Have you ever thought that there’s more beyond the visible?

Well, beyond what’s presented, expressed, and visible, there’s something not necessarily considered; and that’s the heart of the human being.

The deepest feelings nest in the human heart, not always directly exposed outward, especially when these feelings are not good, honest, or proven. Yes, we can show a smiling, friendly, embracing face, but if we delve into that heart’s depths, we often find hypocrisy, lies, envy, hatred, not necessarily displayed, at least not initially and depending on the individual’s interests.

Because it’s like that, in the heart of man, immeasurable feelings can nest, unfathomable interests, and potentially deep desires for revenge and destruction towards those who oppose his/her path.

Let’s do an exercise, this exercise is personal and only you and your Creator will know the answers. Here we go:

• Have you ever felt envy because your family member, colleague, or friend has better possessions than yours? A better car, a better house, a better job, a better salary.
• If you’ve ever been harmed, insulted, or lied about, how did you react? Maybe, did frustration, sadness, hatred, and even revenge arise in your heart?
• If someone has ever tried to take what’s yours, any possession no matter how small it may be, have you at least had the intentions to go all out and take it back, claiming it’s yours? Come on, this might have happened to you as a child or even as an adult. How did you react?

A very small exercise that, if done, will clearly reveal the intentions of our heart and, if these intentions aren’t properly dealt with, sooner or later, they can degenerate into violent acts, conflicts, ultimately into wars.

Well, the Word of God warns us and says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

The nature of the human being is not inherently good, their heart is plagued by sin, and until we come to genuine repentance before our Creator, our heart will experience serious conflicts, a lack of genuine peace, and potentially provoke conflicts around us on a smaller or larger scale.

The renowned Augustine of Hippo stated: “The purpose of all wars is peace.” However, this thought doesn’t always reflect reality. We don’t doubt that in the intentions of many who embark on a war, there’s the genuine and deep desire to achieve peace for their team, for their nation, but also, if we’re realistic, many embark on a war to achieve their own interests, whether valid or not.

The first war every human being must conquer is the struggle against personal sin – we’re all sinners, there’s none righteous, no, not one –; and the only way to do it and to overcome is through surrender. Yes, just as you read it, through surrender. If we recognize deep in our heart that we’re sinners, that we can’t do anything to cleanse ourselves from our sin, and we genuinely and completely surrender to our Creator, to Christ Jesus, we will certainly overcome the worst war we face in our entire life.

So, honesty is necessary to recognize the true condition of our heart; humility to bow in repentance before the only wise God, who can forgive and free us; and courage to decide for Christ Jesus and proclaim that He alone is the way, the truth, and the life that lead us to our Creator and Father, to receive salvation and transformation.

Wars are definitely a matter of the heart. In fact, Jesus expressed it very well: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders” (Matthew 15:19). And so, the most intense war that every human being must vigorously fight is the one against sin and eternal damnation.

If you want to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and eternal life, don’t hesitate to contact us.