One Man (Part Two)
by Derek Puffett
We, the people of South Africa, rejoice in what God has done through this one man, Nelson Mandela. It is nothing short of miraculous. But God’s plan and purpose for the people of South Africa is not yet done.
It is in a time such as this that we need to stay focused on God, drawing faith and encouragement from the miracle of God, and not on the man God used so effectively. God chose to use Mandela and he was willing to be used. His obedience was exemplary and God gave him strength and wisdom to do His will. It was by God’s grace alone that after going through the valley of death we live today.
However, let us not for one blink of an eye, take our eyes off what God did through one man, Jesus Christ. ‘One man’, is mentioned eight times from Romans 5:12 to verse 21. This one man, who had committed no sin through His entire life, did not have to be disciplined as Joseph, David and Nelson did. He did nothing wrong. Yet God used this one man to save us, not from physical death, but from eternal death.
Yes, through one man, the world was turned upside down. People around the world are still, to this day, fighting the Name of this one man and the people who believe in Him - Jesus. Most of the television stations here is SA are dedicating all their time to celebrate the life of Madiba, which is good. It gives the nation a time to grieve a great son of the nation. But sadly, no glory whatsoever is given to God, the creator of heaven and earth and Jesus Christ of Nazareth who, through His death on the Cross, made the true salvation of the people of SA possible. “Why not?” You may ask. As with many other governments today, Jesus is sadly the one man who is no longer accepted. The followers of Jesus are rapidly becoming alienated from society, in every part of the world.
But God is not looking for ‘one man’ as in an individual, He is looking to His disciples to come together in agreement as one man because every born again Christian is already in the one man, Jesus. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28)
For South Africa and the diversity of her people, generally divided in groups of Black and White, the following Scripture is a huge encouragement. We as Christians around the world need to call it into being. "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, :15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace." (Eph 2:14 - 15)
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the life story of Neson Mandela and the way you used him to teach us about true forgiveness. Please teach each one of us about your grace and tolerance. Help us, your people, to come together in unity as one man to show the world your love and power. Amen.
Derek Puffett is the Regional Director of Ellel Ministries, Africa. He was a Pastor for 12 years before joining Ellel in 2000. In 1986 he and his wife Beryl pioneered and established Telefriend, now under the management of Ellel. Telefriend is a South African National Christian telephone care line with an evangelistic emphasis.
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