Q: Don't you think all our problems would be solved if we just could learn to love each other? I think it would be great if people like you would urge people to have more compassion and care for others. — F.C.
A: Dear F.C.,Yes, if every individual on earth would only learn to love others instead of hating and fighting them, then the world would certainly be a much better place.But why doesn't it happen? For centuries, preachers, poets, writers, politicians, musicians and a host of others have urged people to love each other (and I'm sure their exhortations have had some effect). But in spite of this, the 20th century was the bloodiest in history, with two world wars and a long list of other purges and conflicts. What reason do we have to think this century will be any better?You see, simply telling people to love each other isn't enough, because we don't have the power to love others the way we should. Our basic problem, the Bible says, is within us—within our own hearts and minds. Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (Matthew 15:19). Something has gone wrong with us—and that "something" is what the Bible calls sin.This is why we need God, for only He can change our hearts and give us the power to love others as we should. And this is what He wants to do! He loves us, and He doesn't want our lives to be ruined by selfishness and greed—and when we turn to Christ, He forgives the past and gives us hope for the future. I invite you to open your heart to Christ's transforming love today.