In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric hordes to the north, so they built the Great Wall of China. It was so high they knew no one could climb over it and so thick that nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security.
During the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over its top. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and marched right through the gates. The Chinese forgot to teach integrity to their children (attributed to multiple sources).
The apostle Paul wrote: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” It was “God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17–18).
As followers of Christ, we want our children to know about this new creation. In the midst of controversy, whether family disputes, neighborhood disputes, or disputes between nations, of necessity we must rise up and speak on behalf of the children.
Are our children learning how to build walls of division or how to tear them down?
“You yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:9
