It Doesn’t Have To Be…

As we look at the daily news and see the horrific things that are occurring in Afghanistan it makes you wonder if there is any hope for peace. There seems to be such a huge divide in ideology that it’s hard to think it will ever be possible to bring these groups together. Yet, once again scripture speaks to us:

For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], Ephesians 2:14 (AMP)

Only Jesus can bring such diverse groups into one people where there is no “spiritual antagonism” between them. According to who you look at or listen to depends upon how wide the divide really is. Christianity still ranks first in religions, but many research groups assert that Islam is a fast growing second. However, bringing two different ideologies together to sit at the same table is not the goal. The goal is for all people to know and love the one true God – and this is not an impossible goal. For real peace only comes when diversity finds a bridge to connect heart to heart, that bridge is Jesus.

While it may seem unfair to say that one religion is somehow better than the other, that is not what Christianity is all about. Christianity does not preclude that it should be viewed as a superior doctrine – rather it brings to light the love of God for mankind and how that love extends to each and every one born of woman, to free them from the travesty of personal sin through the blood of God’s only Son, Jesus! Hence, Christianity is about relationship – not religion! Jesus is a personal Savior, loving the whole world at the same, yet deeply involved in each and every life that comes to Him.

One thing that can comfort us is that the work belongs to God, not us. Our job is to pray, to pursue, and to present. God uses people to reach people, for we are living epistles known and read of men. Yet, changing the stony heart to a heart of clay belongs to only God. By a miracle of HIs grace, the Holy Spirit knows what it takes for everyone, and He is able to woo them with HIs love:

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)

In the meantime, there is war in Afghanistan and God has equipped us as believers to “war” against the forces of evil and destruction. Let us remember as Paul said:

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you. Colossians 4:18

Maria