So why do so many people wanting to escape their nations seek refuge in Christian-based nations? And why, if they say their religion and beliefs are so great, don’t they stay in the nations that taught those beliefs?
Clearly, there’s something far more attractive to people seeking peace and well being in nations where God’s peace has been taught and practiced. But of late that trend seems to be changing, as immigrants to Christian-based nations, as well as those born in them, are leaving in increasing numbers.
Several reasons for doing so are expressed, but the main ones seem to be, “The country I fled to isn’t what I thought it would be,” or, say the native-born, “My country is not the same as the one I grew up in.”
That’s the perception, so is there any connection between it and unChristian narratives becoming ever more popular in schools, universities, mainstream media, social media, and in politics, and even in supposedly Christian churches too?
An obvious answer to that would be, “Well, what if we get back to good old Christian values and see what happens?” Judge by the fruits. See if Jesus’ teaching about “the things that make for peace” really work – things like: “In everything do to others what you would have them do to you” in Matthew 7:12, for instance.
The obvious result of that would be peace, but the proof of our own history is that no matter how deeply and sincerely we’ve wanted peace – and all religions acknowledging the truth of that verse as well – peace, permanent peace, hasn’t happened.
Ah but, Jesus also said in verse 11, “your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask him.” And since he wants to give us peace and sent Jesus to tell us that, we get to experience if it’s true that “everyone who asks receives” (8).
Have we got the means of restoring God’s peace in our nations at our fingertips, then? It’s right there in Jesus’ teaching – plus his promise that we’ll receive all the help we need to live it too – because isn’t it great “When theory becomes real”?….(next blog)
Buck To Basics 