TOMORROWS WORLD

Friday, June 08, 2018

Human Attempts at Peace

We live in the twenty-first century—nearly 29 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall—and nations are moving away from democratic governments and reverting to hardline leaders with dictatorial and tyrannical tendencies (Washington Post, March 20, 2018). In this atmosphere, it is sobering to note that, since the year 2000, Latin America has experienced more than 2.5 million murders (The Guardian, April 26, 2018)! With just 8 percent of the world’s population, this region of the world records 33 percent of the world’s homicides, most of which occur in just four countries: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. Estimates suggest the murder rates in this region of the world will continue to increase through the year 2030.
In reaction to the increasing violence, presidential candidates in various parts of the world are calling for stronger measures, including cutting off the hands of those caught stealing (Business Insider, April 23, 2018). As an old saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures,” and human governments seem to be reverting to this old philosophy when faced with difficult situations. But will man’s attempts to eliminate violence really work? Will more extreme measures finally bring peace?
The Bible indicates that God has allowed humanity plenty of opportunities to explore different avenues to peace, yet, so far, no human efforts have been successful in the long term. As the prophet Isaiah observed long ago, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:. The Bible reveals that there is only one way to peace (Matthew 7:13–14), and that way involves learning to live by the laws of God (Psalm 119:165). Bible prophecies also state that real peace will only come when Jesus Christ returns to set up His government on this earth in the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:6–7). To learn more about how and when true world peace will come, read “The Way to Peace: The Missing Dimension.”



Unthankfulness Is the Norm

Have you noticed that in today’s fast-paced and self-centered society, few people take time to say “thank you” or show appreciation? Others have noticed as well. Recent research based on recordings of more than 1,000 conversations in eight languages revealed that very few people express appreciation when others help them out. “While the English language emerged as an outlier in the study, with thank yous being used more than in any other language, the phrase or similar ones were still only witnessed in 14.5% of the conversations recorded” (The Guardian, May 22, 2018).
Scientists do not link this lack of appreciation with increasing rudeness, but with people just assuming that others will cooperate with them. Thus, if people will help you regardless of your response, why should you bother showing appreciation? The authors of the study note that the overt expression of appreciation is no longer necessary when assistance is expected.
The Bible states that one of the characteristics of the “last days” is that people will become increasingly “unthankful” (2 Timothy 3:1–2). What researchers have noticed, that people expect assistance without giving thanks, the Bible indicates is a sign of the times, when people are increasingly self-focused— “lovers of themselves… despisers of good” and “lovers of pleasure” (vv. 2–3). Instead, thankfulness is a godly trait that Christians are urged to express (Colossians 3:15). In a world that is moving further and further away from biblical morality, it is not surprising to see decreasing expressions of thankfulness. For more insight about the importance of being thankful, read “The Power of Gratitude.”