“Peace for our time” was the declaration of the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, in 1938. He believed that by giving the forces of Germany what they wanted peace could be assured for Europe. The devastation of World War II proved that assumption to be wrong. By choosing to ignore a basic biblical truth Chamberlain set the stage for war. Christ’s teaching regarding human nature was ignored. In Matthew 7:16 Jesus said:
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
A country that has a track record of war and terrorism should not be expected to change its ways by agreeing to what that country wishes. This was the case in 1938 and it is the case today. It is not necessary to be a theocracy to see the wisdom of Scripture. The truth of God is not limited by political boundaries.
A child who takes toys from his siblings will not change his behavior just by giving him more toys. Rather, he won’t stop taking toys until his heart changes. The same is true for countries as a quick overview of history demonstrates.
When people or governments make plans in opposition to God’s truth bad things happen sooner or later. This is a valuable lesson to teach your children. This is not a lesson that is political in nature. It is just realizing that God is the Ruler of this world. He is the only reliable source to provide insight into human nature.
Inclusiveness is not the path to peace. Realizing that God’s word is exclusively true does not necessarily bring peace, but it is a word that you can trust. Your children need to know what is true in this world. They need to be able to look beyond immediate solutions to ease fears and concerns. Christ’s teaching in Matthew is a trustworthy guide for every area of life. Teach your children how to recognize the fruit of the people they meet and the situations they face. Words, no matter how convincing, do not change the quality of the fruit. Marriage is not made better by living to together beforehand to see if it works. Increasing debt does not provide financial stability. Trusting people simply because they say flattering things to you is the path to ruin.
Teach these things to your children. Pray that our leaders will learn them. Only a change of heart will yield a different outcome from the fruit of the past. Only a worldview based on biblical truth can trusted. Don’t hide this truth from your children.
6 thoughts on “Iran, a plan for peace and the need for a biblical worldview”
” And in the Time of their Trouble,
When they cried to You,
You Heard from Heaven;
And according to Your Abundant Mercies
You Gave them Deliverers who Saved Them
From the Hand of their enemies.” Nehemiah 9:27.
Jesus is Our Strength! We can Pray and God will Help! God bless you, Brother!
“My faith rests not on what I am or shall be, or feel, or know, but in who Christ is, in what He has done, and what He is now doing for me.” Thank you for clarity
The point of the post is to recognize that words and agreements mean little apart from their historical context. When past actions are ignored it is not a wise course of action. This is has proven itself to be true throughout history. It was true in 1938. It is true today. It will be true tomorrow. The post is not a political statement, just an observation based on recorded history.
I understand the need to be pessimistic. And 1938 serves as a great example, though we cannot allow it to dissuade us from trying for a peaceful solution. We’ll see how this plays out and whether or not Iran lives up to their concessions. If they do – progress has been made. If they do not – sanctions will be put back in place.
I just wasn’t sure if the sentence I quoted above was saying that this short-term agreement was somehow against God’s truth. I don’t see how it is.
This blog is not primarily a debate forum, and especially not political debate. However, just to clarify, I don’t think I am being pessimistic. Rather just trying to point out the relevancy of Christ’s wisdom: don’t expect figs and grapes from thorns and thistles. Government leaders and politicians of all parties frequently suffer from being short sighted and a willingness to ignore history. This is not pessimism, just acknowledging what is real. Thanks for your comments.
Maybe pessimistic was the wrong word… what I meant was – I agree we need to enter such negotiations with eyes wide open. At this point it’s hard to say if this is a “new Iran” or just a ploy. As such, your point is well taken. Thanks.