Empress Dowager Lu Zhi of the Han Dynasty in China was said to be an effective ruler who improved the conditions of the poor, lowered taxes, and promoted peace. However, in the winter of 194 BC, following the death of her husband (Emperor Gaozi), she had her husband’s concubine (Concubine Qi) killed in the following manner: she had Qi’s eyes gouged out, her limbs chopped off, ears removed, then poisoned her with a potion that made her mute and finally had her thrown into a latrine all the while calling her “human swine”.

It is said that when Emperor Hui (Lu Zhi’s son) would later gaze upon the horrific act his mother had inflicted on his father’s concubine, he wept loudly for hours till he fell sick and said to his mother, “This is something done not by a human.”

Given the rate at which information travels today, we are not strangers to the depravity and evil actions of man. Much like Emperor Hui, we often times label them as “inhumane acts”.  But the fact remains that these atrocities were and are still committed by human beings today. They are human acts of evil. It is no wonder the book of Ecclesiastes 9:3 says, “…Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live…”

The Lord Jesus pressed further to explain in Mark 7:21-23 that,

“It is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Why does this matter? It matters because, should a person ever ask, “Why do I need salvation?” It is important they first understand why and what they are saved from.

A person will only ever accept rescue in the acknowledgement that they are in the face of danger, otherwise rescue serves no purpose.

So what is the danger? It is the evil nature in our hearts. The evil nature leads to DEATH. The human heart is full of evil and consists of one or more of those acts listed by Christ in Mark 7. No one is exempt. But the greatest news is that God’s hand of rescue is stretched out towards us, ready to offer salvation and eternal life to those who will accept it. Jesus Christ offers salvation, a new nature, one that leads to eternal and abundant life. Will you accept?