Seek the Kingdom for peace

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 237, 29 March 1988, Page 16

Seek the Kingdom for peace

At great cost, the world constantly strives after peace. The cost is in time, energy and finance and even in liuman lives. We seek to heal the divisions between nations and we seek an end to war and to the threat of nuclear war. But in spite of the tireless work done in an effort to bring world peace we seem to be further from it than ever. Not only are nations divided but there is bitter division within nations. Racial and religious tensions escalate, personal violence increases and we can see no end to it. There is a great sense of hopelessness in the world today. The world is desperately in need of hope and in need of a leader who can provide that hope. Jesus Christ is the one who offers the greatest hope. In fact, He is our only hope and the only means by which we can have true peace. The Oxford Dictionary defines peace as freedom from, or cessation

of war, tranquillity, not at strife. But when Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." (John 14:27) He meant that God's gift of peace was not just for the physical and mental, but also the spiritual - a peace that is forever. Peace in our world can only come about by an inner change in each individual and no amount of protest or dialogue, meetings or treaties will effectuate that inner change. The world is in a state of chaos, due to sin. But Jesus came to establish a Kingdom by which we could know eternal peace. His instructions were, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33). If we long for peace and an end to the despondency and hopelessness that exists, we should seek the Kingdom and King of Peace first.

S.

Kumeroa