I want World Peace - 16^th January 2009

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13

This title sounds just like a plea from an American Beauty Pageant queen! However, it is a longing in the hearts of many of us I am certain. We would love for all this seemingly pointless fighting and violence to stop, and for us to live in harmony and to respect all our brothers and sisters regardless of race or religion. We long for the day when suffering and pain no longer have a place. A new earth.

How can God allow bad things to happen to innocent people? I think some of the answers came in one of the emails I had this week. It comes from an interview with Anne Graham (daughter of Billy Graham)

“"I believe God is deeply saddened by (these events), just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

We live in a broken, corrupt world where sin is rampant. But we also live in God’s kingdom – not just in the future in heaven, but right now. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. When we share the good news of Jesus with others we are building Gods Kingdom. When we choose to shut that teaching out we help to shut out His truth and prevent the growth of his Kingdom. We must pray for Gods will to be done on earth.