The Way of Peace

Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

This was Jesus Christ's mission, and here in Ghana it is our mission also. We have been sent to guide people, to teach them the gospel truth's of the Bible so that they can understand salvation and be guided into the way of peace. Some say, but why is your family going? Are not the churches in Africa growing, are not many new 'converts' being saved each day. To this we say these verses...

Isaiah 59:8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.


Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

This path of peace is what they have sought for and not found. They have been given religion. I believe Africa to be one of most religious places in the world. They been given many things: The Word of God with no understanding, the works of spirits without the Holy Spirit, the Cross without the Redemption, the New Testament without the Old, and Christiainity without conversion!

But one thing that all these programs, aid groups, and denomational investors have not given is Peace- and along with it Love, Hope, and Joy!

The African might have a song on his lips, food in his stomach, and clothes on his body, which is all good, but he has NO PEACE in his heart!

Here in Africa peace is King. It is what is most sought after. Even in our past it was the highest virtue to obtain. One might not have had peace outside of his tribe, but he always sought for it inside his community. Even here in the Akan, our highest diety that interacted with man was Asasa Yaa. She is the goddess of Earth. Her rule was over the laws of community and her main concern was in mantaining order and peace. But, no matter how much the African wants it, weather he be Traditional, Muslim, or 'christian', the peace he seeks is always alluding him. He seeks to cover transgressions, but the heart boils. He seeks to gain favor for his life from the gods, or God, but peace never comes. It is a phantom that casts its shadow across the path, but can never be felt or seen. He works hard going to prayer camps, church meetings, even 'witnessing' to the lost. But no matter how many times he is delievered from spirits, no matter how long he speaks in tongues, not matter how much he obeys the commands of the missionary, it still does not come to his heart.

What they do not know is that this is not the way that they are to go. THE WAY that Christ has set before us, and given unto us, has not been shown to so so many here in these great lands.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Christ and His sacrifice can bring peace to these hungry souls.

Even those that know the truths of the Gospel and Divide the Word rightly, are so often bound by church practices and procedures that are so deeply rooted in Westerner Culture, instead of Bible Culture, that we never think to do more than copy the patterns that we have seen and heard in our Bible colleges oversea.

This is not intended to be a rant that is given about the wrongs of missions, but a post about the need of the people of this great continent. Even now as I write this post, I can hear the sound of singing. The children in the local school are singing and drumming. They sing loudly and speak in unison. They are not singing the old songs of the past, but new songs of the present. But, though I can hear the 'amens' of the students, and understand the 'praises' in Twi to Almighty God, I hear no peace. I see no joy. Once the drum beat stops, the pulse and excitement is reduced, so goes the happiness that is the only distraction that they have. The body is touched, but the spirit is empty.

For these our new people, we cry! We beg! For those that have been placed in a greater darkness. Not the darkness of witchcraft and magic, but the more dangerous and deadly darkness of the pre-dawn. In the early morning fog, where it is not quite day and not quite night. Here they sit filled with religion and DEATH! With Amens on thier lips and cruses in their souls! For these that are walking without peace we cry and ask... WHO will come and help?

Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!