Monday, 19 November 2012

An Appeal To South Africa

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to the earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on 
love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colosssians 3:5-14


In an article dated 2 November 2012 on page 8 of the Platinum Weekly newspaper is an article entitled "Sorry, No donations to whites allowed".  The newspaper reports the following: "Businesses could lose black economic empowerment (BEE) points for making donations to charities which do not have 100 percent black beneficiaries."

Bridget Brun, a (city of) Durban BEE agency head, told the media; "This amendment will have a huge effect.  It means that if the charity benefits any Indian, white, colored or even a Mozambican or Zimbabwan child, companies will not be able to claim points on their BEE scorecard.  We are going to have segregated facilities."

Childline head Joan van Niekerk said "...we don't know the race of the child who phones us.  It's inappropriate to ask, 'Are you black, and how black are you?'  'This is a different kind of apartheid."

From a Christian perspective and for the children's sake, I respectfully ask the South African people to seriously consider the course they are charting for themselves.

The very things that segregated South Africa 19 years ago by a certain color group are now resurfacing in the group that had been targeted,  and who now have the political power to ensure that segregation will never happen again.  During the apartheid years, the world watched and responded to this by implementing sanctions.  We (the world) then rejoiced in your freedom from the bondage in the years after 1994.

I humbly ask the people of South Africa to consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians - to rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice...and to put on the new self...in the image of the Creator.

Rather clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And...put on love.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells us that "love never fails."   Lets trust that the ruling powers will make wise choices for the future of South Africa and reap the benefits of love.


Those of you who read this blog please pray for South Africa; pray for godly wise leaders, exposure of corruption, unity and peace in this country.

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