Solutions: Going From The Complex To The Simple

After reading this article regarding the needed reform of the complex criminal justice system, I have come to the conclusion that Jeremiah 10:23 still holds true: "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps."

Beloved, let us now go from the complexities contained in the above article, to the simple solution to man's violation of established law, provided by God through His word.

There is only one way to ever solve man's propensity to engage in a life of crime, and that is to change man's way of thinking or mindset (2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT). The daily renewing of the mind is the only way to solve man's violation of any established law, whether those laws originate from man or from God. Our Lord knew that man's problems associated with sin originate in the thought processes of the mind (Mark 7:14-23 NLT). The apostle Paul provides us with the simple solution to changing the thought processes of man when he states in Romans 12:2-3 NLT:

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

Instead of thinking evil thoughts, think the godly thoughts that Paul presents in Philippians 4:8-9 NLT. This is the crux of what the saving gospel gospel of Christ is designed to do — to change the thinking processes of man, so that man's thinking becomes aligned with God's thinking (Isaiah 1:16-18). Can we now plainly see that man's solutions to violations of law are complex, whereas God's solution is extremely simple — just change the thoughts of the mind which will result in a man being a godly example before others (1 Timothy 4 NET; cf. Psalm 112 NLV).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets