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Richard Littledale

Richard Littledale's
Views on the News: June 1999

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Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal

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tel: 0870 60 60 900

or give online via a Christian agency like:

Tearfund
Christian Aid

...and don't forget to

pray!

Implements of War

The man who brought you "education, education, education" now has a new phrase on his lips - "implementation, implementation, implementation". The sincerity of President Milosevic's peace offer will be proven by his implementation of a withdrawal of all military and paramilitary forces from Kosovo. The sincerity of NATO's much trumpeted desire to see Kovoars back in their homes will be seen in the implementation of a costly programme of escorting them, feeding them and building new homes for them and safeguarding their peace.

This call for implementation has a reassuringly familiar ring to it. Phrases like "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and the much older "by their fruits shall ye know them" spring to mind. External proof of internal resolve is demanded by everyone from Christ of his disciples to the worker thumbing through his latest pay packet.

As Christians we are pleased to submit ourselves to such a test. Bluntly expressed, if our faith does affect our behaviour it is priceless, if it does not, it is worthless. Elsewhere on this site you will find reference to the way ordinary Christians lead their lives (TBC people), and to the way Christians here used to lead their lives (Our Multimedia History). The proof of our intent to follow a cross-bearing messiah is seen only when we bear crosses of our own - making decisions about what we do with our money, our time and our desires.

It is perhaps this external dimension of Christianity which dissuades some from embracing it. Were it to be restricted to a purely private religious experience, it would be harmless at worst. When it affects every area of our lives it becomes profoundly threatening.

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The implementation of our beliefs, like the implementation of this peace deal, is where the costs come and the tears are expunged.

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