We are approaching Christmas and the members of EU are discussing membership negotiation with the Islamic Turkey. Many Europeans are afraid of the Muslims. In fact many Europeans are skeptical all non-white Europeans! In spite of trends to form bigger unions on many levels, there is a fragmentation taking place in the world. People seem to become more hostile to one another. The terrorists have succeeded in making people afraid of those who are different from themselves in one way or another!

Only a Kingdom of God people will be able to bring reconciliation to people in a world torn apart by hatred and terror!

The church is a community of reconciliation, bringing people together with God and one another. The word covenant actually means a ”coming-together”. The covenant community is about a strong sense of togetherness among people who have been forgiven and are forgiving one another. The leaders in the community must be seen living in forgiveness and reconciliation. The unity in Christ means:

– The end to animosity

– The end to alienation

– The end to a self-centred life

– The New Covenant creates a community of reconciliation and forgiveness. This is seen in the way we are inclusive of all kind of people and in how we love and care for people.

We are called to be in the business of reconciling people to God and to one another. Our task is connecting people – to the reality of God as seen in the covenant community.

The community of reconciliation is the community of the cross

Covenant living is all about taking up our cross daily. It is about applying the cross in our personal lives, preferring others to ourselves, putting to death our selfish desires.

We need to be living this out both within and outside the covenant community.

Through our covenant relationship with God we have become his people, a covenant community, to reflect the righteousness and justice of God, as well as his unfailing love and truth Psalm 89:3-4; 14.

Therefore the covenant community acts socially and politically to represent the righteousness of God:

– Taking on the sufferings of others

– Being a voice for the voiceless, defending the oppressed, providing justice for the poor and needy