Exe Valley Mission Community

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Brexit and all that!

With the referendum result leaving a policy vacuum, it seemed that the whole establishment of the country was in turmoil. I imagine we were all disappointed by the tone of both referendum campaigns and the way they were conducted. Things are now settling down somewhat; we have a new Prime Minister whilst the Labour party is organising  its own leadership vote.

Welcome the Foreigner

Christians must be appalled by reports of increased hate crime, racism and xenophobia, sadly so exemplified by the cruel arson attack upon a Polish family here in Devon. The concern of many in our society about unrestricted immigration is understandable, but in no way can we allow ourselves to regard those from other lands with fear and distrust. We must not let that happen.

A key virtue in Biblical Christianity is hospitality, we are all naturally exiled from God until accepted into His family by Jesus. We read (Ephesians 2. 19), "you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's peeople and also members of his household."

In turn we must demonstrate hospitality; in Hebrews 13.2 we read "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." The Old Testament is even clearer. Here's Leviticus 19:34: "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love them as yourself. I am the Lord your God". Regardless of what migration policies we have, there will always be foreigners amongst us. The christian attitude is that we are to welcome strangers, and be hospitable.

The only certainty is uncertainty. Uncertainties remain - we have had a vacuum of leadership and no one is quite clear how the pieces will fall. It's tempting to panic. Instead we must pray. Pray especially for wisdom for all the policy and decision makes who have a long few years ahead of them.

Sovereignty

For many of those who supported Brexit, 23 June is seen as "Independence Day". Many have been thinking and talking of this decision as being about restoring our national sovereignty. However, we must remember all national sovereignty depends upon the ultimate and unquestioned sovereignty of God the Faither, and of his Son Jesus; for all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him as, indeed, is each one of us.

We Christians must not put our hopes for the well-being of society either on our independence from Europe or on our relationship with Europe. The well-being of our society all hangs on our relationship with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us make sure that our hope is set on Jesus and all pray for our leaders.

John Roberts

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