Christian Reflections Blog
PEACE- But at what cost
by Roy Carter
"PEACE - BUT AT WHAT COST?"
Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 11 â 19
This is a day of mixed feelings for many. It seems from the various news reports this yearâs Remembrance Day will cause considerable disturbance because of counter protests fuelled by the conflict in the middle East. This is a further reminder of what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:6 âAnd you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but donât panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end wonât follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.â
The one-time British politician Arthur Neville Chamberlain who served as Prime Minister from May 1937 to May 1940 once said, "IN WAR, WHICHEVER SIDE MAY CALL ITSELF THE VICTOR, THERE ARE NO WINNERS, BUT ALL ARE LOSERS".
We still have people today who are suffering directly from wars, both past and present either because of their own injuries in body and or mind, or because of bereavement and even a deep sense of injustice and hate caused by international, national, and local conflicts.
At the present time there are 32 ongoing conflicts around the world right now as we are engaged in a service of Remembrance, ranging from wars, terrorist insurgencies, ethnic conflicts, and civil wars. Additionally, there are the ongoing struggles to stop drug wars, people trafficking, and the abuse in all its many forms of the young and old.
Apart from the feeling of despair so many experience caused by the behaviour and attitudes of those who are the leaders of nations and people generally. There are so often feelings that things will never change and get better, because the evidence of history shows that the experiences of the past do not lead to the fundamental change of mind, heart and that will never bring peace and dignity of life to all the people of the world.
The logical response to this derepressing scenario, therefore, is to think that the only thing humankind has to look forward to is, more of the same!! But is that really true? I am sure you wonât be surprised when I say, âNo it isnât, there is hope.â
Let us briefly consider Ephesians Chapter 2 verse 14 which says, â14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.â
This passage in Ephesians highlights the role of the Church of Godâs amazing eternal plan.
God has revealed His amazing plan to unite Gentiles with Jews in a new group of people, the Church.
The Church is the community of those who recognise the lordship of Jesus Christ and submit heart, mind and will to Him.
Because the world-wide Church of God comprises people of different ethnic groups, it is a community of harmony and peace as believers live together in love and bound together by a shared experience of unity, faith, spiritual understanding, and Christian maturity, to the full perfection of Jesus Christ.
So, did and how does each person, no matter what their ethnic grouping is become a member of the world-wide Church of God?
Firstly, they recognised that they were âliving in this world without God and without hope.â
Secondly, why was that? Romans 3:23 puts it this way, âFor everyone sinned, we all fall short of Godâs glorious standards.â
Thirdly, therefore, people were living without hope where human desires ruled, where âIf I want it, Iâll have itâ whether that is at International, National, local, or personal level. That is the attitude that that will never bring true peace, justice, and dignity to all of mankind.
Fourthly, there needs to be an acknowledgement that human beings do not have all the answers. There needs to be an honesty in each personâs heart, namely, that their desires are far from perfect and honourable. Human beings need help from outside themselves.
Fifthly, The Bible makes it clear that there is ONLY ONE PERSON who is A CHANGE MAKER, and that person is JESUS CHRIST who the Bible calls, âThe Prince of Peace.â (Isaiah 9:6)
He is our only true peace offering. He chose to go to the cross and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the wrongs of humankind.
So, on this Remembrance Sunday, is there hope for the future? Can the hearts of human being be changed?
Yes, most definitely they can because Jesus is the âChange Makerâ of the human heart. Can we make a difference for peace? Yes, we can by inviting Jesus Christ to be our âPrince of Peaceâ and deal with all the wrongs in our own lives.
We will then experience the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:17 when it says, âThis means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!â
We pray for true and permanent peace, for everyone, everywhere in the world.
Roy
12/11/2023
Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 11 â 19
This is a day of mixed feelings for many. It seems from the various news reports this yearâs Remembrance Day will cause considerable disturbance because of counter protests fuelled by the conflict in the middle East. This is a further reminder of what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:6 âAnd you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but donât panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end wonât follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.â
The one-time British politician Arthur Neville Chamberlain who served as Prime Minister from May 1937 to May 1940 once said, "IN WAR, WHICHEVER SIDE MAY CALL ITSELF THE VICTOR, THERE ARE NO WINNERS, BUT ALL ARE LOSERS".
We still have people today who are suffering directly from wars, both past and present either because of their own injuries in body and or mind, or because of bereavement and even a deep sense of injustice and hate caused by international, national, and local conflicts.
At the present time there are 32 ongoing conflicts around the world right now as we are engaged in a service of Remembrance, ranging from wars, terrorist insurgencies, ethnic conflicts, and civil wars. Additionally, there are the ongoing struggles to stop drug wars, people trafficking, and the abuse in all its many forms of the young and old.
Apart from the feeling of despair so many experience caused by the behaviour and attitudes of those who are the leaders of nations and people generally. There are so often feelings that things will never change and get better, because the evidence of history shows that the experiences of the past do not lead to the fundamental change of mind, heart and that will never bring peace and dignity of life to all the people of the world.
The logical response to this derepressing scenario, therefore, is to think that the only thing humankind has to look forward to is, more of the same!! But is that really true? I am sure you wonât be surprised when I say, âNo it isnât, there is hope.â
Let us briefly consider Ephesians Chapter 2 verse 14 which says, â14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.â
This passage in Ephesians highlights the role of the Church of Godâs amazing eternal plan.
God has revealed His amazing plan to unite Gentiles with Jews in a new group of people, the Church.
The Church is the community of those who recognise the lordship of Jesus Christ and submit heart, mind and will to Him.
Because the world-wide Church of God comprises people of different ethnic groups, it is a community of harmony and peace as believers live together in love and bound together by a shared experience of unity, faith, spiritual understanding, and Christian maturity, to the full perfection of Jesus Christ.
So, did and how does each person, no matter what their ethnic grouping is become a member of the world-wide Church of God?
Firstly, they recognised that they were âliving in this world without God and without hope.â
Secondly, why was that? Romans 3:23 puts it this way, âFor everyone sinned, we all fall short of Godâs glorious standards.â
Thirdly, therefore, people were living without hope where human desires ruled, where âIf I want it, Iâll have itâ whether that is at International, National, local, or personal level. That is the attitude that that will never bring true peace, justice, and dignity to all of mankind.
Fourthly, there needs to be an acknowledgement that human beings do not have all the answers. There needs to be an honesty in each personâs heart, namely, that their desires are far from perfect and honourable. Human beings need help from outside themselves.
Fifthly, The Bible makes it clear that there is ONLY ONE PERSON who is A CHANGE MAKER, and that person is JESUS CHRIST who the Bible calls, âThe Prince of Peace.â (Isaiah 9:6)
He is our only true peace offering. He chose to go to the cross and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the wrongs of humankind.
So, on this Remembrance Sunday, is there hope for the future? Can the hearts of human being be changed?
Yes, most definitely they can because Jesus is the âChange Makerâ of the human heart. Can we make a difference for peace? Yes, we can by inviting Jesus Christ to be our âPrince of Peaceâ and deal with all the wrongs in our own lives.
We will then experience the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:17 when it says, âThis means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!â
We pray for true and permanent peace, for everyone, everywhere in the world.
Roy
12/11/2023