Rekindle the hope for good

THE all-important date on the Christian calendar has come and gone.
As it has been said time and again, without the resurrection the Christian faith would not be able to stand to severe scrutiny, more so with the use of modern science today.
Christianity would be but another ideology of man without the resurrection – that single most stupendous moment in human history that many have tried without success to disprove.
What if some human historical human remains were chanced upon on somewhere near Jerusalem and proven with the use of DNA testing, to be those of the Messiah?
Christianity, certainly would never be the same again, if there were to be any Christianity at all.
To learned scholars and simple believers alike, the resurrection is the central truth of the Christian faith and it is that which sets this faith apart from all other world religions – even the other two Abrahamic faiths of Judaism and Islam.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is unique to the Christian faith – no other religious figure has ever predicted his own resurrection, and then accomplished it.
All of the other world religions are based on a founder who lived in the past and whose religion is his only legacy.
Whether by default or by the hand of the divine himself, this country was “discovered” by foreigners bearing the Christian message of salvation and civilisation.
And upon the basis of the teachings of Christianity, the country has transitioned from Stone-Age to the present.
Our legislature, the public service, the judiciary and the education system all have aspects of the Christian faith built into them.
By the declaration, “So help me God” are important officials of government sworn into office; the Lord’s prayer is recited even at the start of Parliament sessions; the national anthem contains a line exhorting patriots to “Now give thanks to the Good Lord above…”
These are open and outward expressions of a national faith in God.
There is no argument that Papua New Guinea is a Christian country, however, living out that proclamation of Christianity has and will remain a challenge.
A nation of atheists might shudder and be amazed at the extent of evil currently pervading our communities.
The evil of crowd violence is once again rearing its ugly head.
But we need no outsider to point us to that; we are fully aware of our desperate need to end such violence and the absence of love, the central tenet of Christianity.
The lack of love is felt everywhere – in family homes, in public service offices, in the private businesses, in Parliament.
Yet while there is much evil in our midst but there should be even greater hope.
Such a hope cannot be snuffed out just like the tiniest flicker of light cannot be overcome by the blackest darkness.
That hope is reinforced by the amazing story of the resurrected Messiah during this time of year.
That is the hope that should be rekindled this time of year in the hearts and minds of believers to be remain steadfast in their pursuit of righteousness not only to see the object of that hope face to face in the unknown future, but also so that they can live in peace with their fellowman.
Men and women of faith throughout the country should rise up and take a stand against the level of violence that seems to be getting out of control.