The way to Peace
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive. Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints. People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism. The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
Rabbi Blech is right. That is why I believe man needs to turn back to God.
The holocaust of world war two, the pogroms prior to that and modern day terrorist show that man can justify anything in his own mind. Even if it is the killing of millions of innocent people.
Throughout the centuries both secular atheistic governments and those claiming to do things in the name of God have brought death and destruction on the innocent.
I do not believe anyone who truly believes in God would commit an act of war or genocide. True believers in God believe the words of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
They believe they will one day have to give an account of their life to God. Who will judge them fairly and decide their eternal fate.
They believe the words of Deuteronomy who wrote,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
Jesus not only affirmed the words of Deuteronomy saying when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus went one step further saying
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
Matthew 5:43-47
It is my belief that the answer to true world peace lies in recognizing there is a God we will ultimately answer to.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
It is only when individuals and society turn from belief in God or twists the truths of God to suit their own way of thinking, that society starts to decline.
I firmly believe that the way to change the world for the better is to turn to the teachings of Jesus. The teachings of the Bible.
Teachings that tell us to love God, our neighbour, whoever they may be, and to love even our enemy.
Please think about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment