Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb

Peace on Earth?

Sunday 18 December, 2005 · Posted by Philip Bassett

The events of the last week or so with riots and vandalism and the subsequent crack-down by the police lead us to ask “Are these events a sign of underlying racial tension in our ‘multicultural community’ or are they just another example of common hooliganism.”

Personally I believe there is a mixture of both.  Yes there is a measure of social/ethnic/racial disharmony in our society and yes there are people who see it as an excuse for common hooliganism. 

Our Bishop, Ivan Lee,  wrote   “It is a reminder that we live in a fallen world, and a symptom of a problem that needs to be addressed.  We need to work harder on relationships and not pretend the problem is not there.”

Our Archbishop, Peter Jensen, wrote “It is quite clear that tension has been building under a surface of apparent community harmony for some time.  We must look to the root causes of this social disharmony, seek authentic information about them, and deal with these matters.”

As we come into the season of Christmas it is important to realize that what Jesus came into the world to do was not just make all the bad stuff go away but to rescue people from the coming wrath – God’s righteous wrath against the sinner.  And that’s all of us.

Earlier translations of the Bible had the angels singing to the shepherds in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” KJV whereas more modern and accurate translations render that verse, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace amongst those with whom he is pleased!” ESV. 

With whom is God pleased?  With those who turn to him in repentance and faith.  The Christmas message of God’s love for mankind is not an universal panacea of peace.  There will always be those who reject the message, sometimes by indifference, sometimes with violence but the offer of salvation is still for everyone.

Let us pray for a quick ending of the current crisis but also a real addressing of the underlying causes remembering that there is no real reconciliation except in Christ.

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