Hi Church,
The Last week has certainly been difficult for people. Seeing people divided over a referendum with strong views for and against, tears at the fabric of our heart. Some will be ripped completely, many stretched into a new shape different from before. Some relationships maybe permanently damaged and some will try to out shame each other for a result not wanted.
Sadly, what was put as a vote on a change of how we do governance or not, became an endorsement of value upon a race of people. Many have walked away with hearing a shout, NO! we don’t value you. Therefore, the pain will be ongoing.
Of course, this is a lie perpetuated by the enemy of our souls to keep us divided and hearts closed to each other. As Christians we can’t get locked into a “sideism”, that is choosing one people over another, the Gospel doesn’t allow us to do that, we must find a way to embrace to bring peace. That is the heart of reconciliation.
The same is what is happening in Israel in the Middle east as Media is forcing us to take a side and prefer one over another. To hate one and justify one and to disregard one and accept one. In the natural again its heart breaking. Its horrible to make a choice. Yet Jesus walks right into dead mans zone between the warring parties and lays down his life in the middle, for his friends and for his enemies.
Romans 5:7-9
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (To be a sinner is to be an enemy of God.)
Phil 2 tells us this is the attitude we all need to carry into the world. This humbling oneself, this dying to one self, this filling the gap of division with our own life is what, brings peace, truth , hope, love, grace, reconciliation.
I can’t say that I’m an expert in this but that should not stop us from trying.
There is of course another layer of what is going on in the Middle east right now. We are in the times of the end and God’s plan is unfolding before our eyes. Nations are being pulled into position. Israel is being used by God to reveal the arrogance in the heart of men who have turned their back on God since Sin entered the world.
We can’t stop it and we must not applaud it. We need to pray for God’s mercy in it. Not be afraid but be aware. The Season is changing, our focus needs to shift. Jesus said Look! Your redemption draws near. Luke 21:31.
So let’s be sober minded and not put off any longer being the people He wants us to be.
Romans 13:8-12
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Love and Peace Church.
Ps Greg and Amanda