Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword." (Jesus' words, NLT)
Pastor John talked of the disillusionment that many have of Jesus Christ - that he had a message of peace for the world. He did not come to bring peace into a system and society that rejects Him. He came to bring peace into the world through His Kingdom. Pastor John gave us the example of a mother's love for her baby. Anyone who jeopardizes the baby does not face peace from the mother. God loves us so much that there is no price He wouldn't be willing to pay to redeem us (In fact He did pay it on the cross). He did not come with a message of peace apart from His Kingdom. But there is no peace between His Kingdom and the
ways of this world. I've been thinking about this very issue in the last couple of days as I've been reading a blog "The Poor You Will Always
Have With You". The author is looking at the issue of "The Poor" in light of Christianity and politics. He linked an interview with former
President Jimmy Carter on some of his thoughts :
First of all, we worship the prince of peace, not war. And those of us who have advocated for the resolution of international conflict in a peaceful fashion are looked upon as being unpatriotic, branded that way by right-wing religious groups, the Bush administration, and other Republicans.
The Peace of God is not some "mamby-pamby ,feel-good,get along with everyone while ignoring Truth" kind of thing. So many issues are at stake when we vote. I pray that the Christians in America have discernment when they make their choice at the ballots.
On another topic entirely but one that is so important: check out Carol's Storybook for an excellent summary of the dangerous philosophy that has led to many horrors, including the holocaust, slavery and abortion. History should teach us that when we refuse to recognize the 'personhood' of any group of people, the results are catastrophic. They are no less with the refusal to recognize the personhood of those who are unborn.
By the way, here's what former President Jimmy Carter had to say about the question on abortion (taken from the same source):
What about abortion? How would you speak to moderate evangelicals who withhold support for Democratic candidates on that single issue?
This was an issue that I had to face when I was campaigning 25 years ago. I have always been against abortion; it’s not possible for me in my own concept of Christ to believe that Jesus would favor abortion. But at the same time, I have supported the Supreme Court ruling of our country as the law of the land. And the present arrangement, whereby a woman is authorized to have an abortion in the first trimester of the pregnancy, or when the pregnancy is caused by rape or incest -- these are the things that moderates who have beliefs like mine can accept as the present circumstances in our country. The liberality of abortion is anointed by the laws of our country, including the ultimate ruling of the Supreme Court.
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