By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife
LONDON, BRITAIN (BosNewsLife)– The Evangelical Alliance Scotland (EAS) urged the nation on Friday, September 19, to unite and build a new Scotland “with Christian values” after most voters rejected Scottish independence in a historic referendum.
EAS is part of the influential Evangelical Alliance, which represents some two million evangelical Christians in Britain. “This has been an incredible season for our nation and the referendum debate has invigorated Scotland with our churches at the heart of the debate,” EAS National Director Fred Drummond told BosNewsLife in a statement.
He made the remarks while results showed 55.3 percent of Scottish voters rejected independence, with 44.7 percent saying “yes”.
“We recognise that while many are celebrating this morning there are also many in Scotland who are devastated at this result. It is now time to show grace and kindness to those on the other side and move quickly to bring reconciliation where it is needed in our land.”
However he acknowledged that “it will be a difficult thing for some people to do but we must love our neighbour.” Yet, he said, “We are all Scots and Scots at heart together. If we put God’s love at the heart of what we do, healing will be much faster, genuine and long-lasting.”
UNITING NATION
Drummond stressed that, “With the votes now cast and the result declared…it is now time for us to unite as a nation and build a new and better Scotland based on the vision, hope and aspiration which characterised the debate.”
It was time to think about a new future, he said. “As Scots now consider what kind of nation will…emerge from this campaign, he church must lead – and be allowed to lead – the way to ensure the new Scotland is “one that reflects God’s values in the economy, the family, our communities and our environment.”
Drummond explained that as “Christians we passionately believe that these values will shape our nation for good.”
He stressed there “has been an exceptionally high level of engagement and this must not wane” and that “the passion must continue.”
The evangelical leader claimed that “Christian values have built Scotland and helped it to achieve the success in society” and urged evangelicals to “reinforce these principles and strengthen them.”
CHRISTIAN VALUES
It is an undeniable fact, he said, “that Christian values have been good for our society.”
Evangelical evangelical churches are here to help, Drummond explained. “We are here to help heal divisions within families, workplaces, friendships and even in the church itself. The Christian Gospel provides the catalyst for reconciliation and as Christians we recognise our responsibility to model grace, forgiveness and reconciliation to our fellow citizens.”
Drummond noted that during the campaign “all Scots have rallied around a flag”. However, he warned, that “as Christians our identity is not based on a flag or a national boundary but on the radical grace of being adopted into God’s family.”
He said that “Scotland and the UK will not be the same after this vote. We the Evangelical Alliance and our member churches stand ready to play our part.”
His group urged “Christians in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales to come together to pray for Scotland as we build a future for our nation.”
(BosNewsLife’s NEWS WATCH is a regular look at key news developments impacting the Church and/or compassionate professionals).
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