Living in South Africa is amazing, we have a beautiful country and lots is going right here, unfortunately it also has its challenges…
For example, we recently had some serious train crashes with fatalities, the first was caused by a truck which ignored the road sign and collided with a train when it crossed a railway line. The second was a train that hit a stationary coach on a track when manual controls were used. It was caused by human error, however, the human intervention was required because of electrical cable which had been stolen. Both incidents were the result of someone breaking the law. Cable theft is a huge problem in South Africa.
Another scenario that plays out regularly is that commuters vandalise and burn train coaches because the trains don’t arrive on time. The lateness is not necessarily caused by PRASA, the S.A. Rail Agency, but rather because of cable theft once again.
The point I make is that there is no justification for a person to break the law because of someone else who has broken the law.
In Krugersdorp, over the past number of days, we have seen protests against drugs, crime and the Police Service’s perceived lack of action. Once again protesters have thought themselves justified to break the law by burning houses, a satellite police station and cars, by throwing rocks and burning tyres, by looting shops and causing other damage.
The people’s frustration is understandable because there is a barrage of law breaking, corruption and lack of action from the government and law institutions. Justice seems absent, with those who break the law seemingly protected by the laws that should protect upright citizens. However violence and lawbreaking is not, and should never be the accepted solution.
Government could have meetings and workshops and set up task groups to try and find a solution, however the problems are great and the government is tied down with limited resources, and a perceived lack of political will to address the problems being faced by this great nation.
But what about you and I?
What if at a grass roots level, each individual begins a personal campaign to do right, regardless of the behaviour of others. What if one by one, we make a choice which says, “I DO RIGHT”
In Matthew 5 Jesus addressed the problem of retaliation and revenge. In His own words, He said, “turn the other cheek”.
Matthew 5:38-48 (NKJV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Do we not want to be like our Father in heaven and be motivated by love instead of hate and revenge? Jesus said, “blessed are the peacemakers”.
Here is God’s answer to dealing with others who do wrong:
Romans 12:17-19(NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Whenever man tries to exact revenge, it results in evil, no matter how seemingly good the cause. God’s word says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay”. Just because the authorities seem inactive, never discount God, He moves in ways we cannot see nor understand. Instead of turning to violence, let us turn to God. There is power in prayer. There is even more power in corporate prayer, so let us pray together.
Finally, coming back to “I DO RIGHT”. Let us make a commitment to resolve the problem at the grass root level. Part of the problem is our own behaviour. Here are some practical confessions on actions we can make as a start:
Let us join hands and launch the “I DO RIGHT” campaign right here right now, If change comes at the grass roots level, it will impact our entire society.
For example, we recently had some serious train crashes with fatalities, the first was caused by a truck which ignored the road sign and collided with a train when it crossed a railway line. The second was a train that hit a stationary coach on a track when manual controls were used. It was caused by human error, however, the human intervention was required because of electrical cable which had been stolen. Both incidents were the result of someone breaking the law. Cable theft is a huge problem in South Africa.
Another scenario that plays out regularly is that commuters vandalise and burn train coaches because the trains don’t arrive on time. The lateness is not necessarily caused by PRASA, the S.A. Rail Agency, but rather because of cable theft once again.
The point I make is that there is no justification for a person to break the law because of someone else who has broken the law.
In Krugersdorp, over the past number of days, we have seen protests against drugs, crime and the Police Service’s perceived lack of action. Once again protesters have thought themselves justified to break the law by burning houses, a satellite police station and cars, by throwing rocks and burning tyres, by looting shops and causing other damage.
The people’s frustration is understandable because there is a barrage of law breaking, corruption and lack of action from the government and law institutions. Justice seems absent, with those who break the law seemingly protected by the laws that should protect upright citizens. However violence and lawbreaking is not, and should never be the accepted solution.
Government could have meetings and workshops and set up task groups to try and find a solution, however the problems are great and the government is tied down with limited resources, and a perceived lack of political will to address the problems being faced by this great nation.
But what about you and I?
What if at a grass roots level, each individual begins a personal campaign to do right, regardless of the behaviour of others. What if one by one, we make a choice which says, “I DO RIGHT”
In Matthew 5 Jesus addressed the problem of retaliation and revenge. In His own words, He said, “turn the other cheek”.
Matthew 5:38-48 (NKJV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Do we not want to be like our Father in heaven and be motivated by love instead of hate and revenge? Jesus said, “blessed are the peacemakers”.
Here is God’s answer to dealing with others who do wrong:
Romans 12:17-19(NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Whenever man tries to exact revenge, it results in evil, no matter how seemingly good the cause. God’s word says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay”. Just because the authorities seem inactive, never discount God, He moves in ways we cannot see nor understand. Instead of turning to violence, let us turn to God. There is power in prayer. There is even more power in corporate prayer, so let us pray together.
Finally, coming back to “I DO RIGHT”. Let us make a commitment to resolve the problem at the grass root level. Part of the problem is our own behaviour. Here are some practical confessions on actions we can make as a start:
- “I will not litter, I do right”.
- “I will obey the rules of the road, I will stop at red robots and stop streets, I will obey the speed limit even though there is no speed enforcement, I will treat other drivers with respect. I do right”.
- “I will not be part of violent protests, I do right.”
- “I will treat my spouse and children with respect, I do right”.
- “I will treat people from other race groups and nationalities with respect, I do right”.
- “Instead of taking matters into my own hands when others break the law, I will pray and trust God to bring a solution and exact justice, I do right”.
Let us join hands and launch the “I DO RIGHT” campaign right here right now, If change comes at the grass roots level, it will impact our entire society.