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Our Nature
| Bro Melusi Ndlovu (Kwekwe, Zimbabwe)
A
s our conscience has been quickened by
the holy spirit word, we have become
aware of the evil of sin, of its power, its guilt,
its woe, and we look upon it with abhorrence.
We find that sin has separated us from God,
that we are in bondage to the power of evil.
The more we struggle to escape, the more we
realise our helplessness. Our moves are
impure, our hearts are unclean. We see that
our life has been filled with selfishness and
sin. We long to be forgiven, to be cleansed, to
be set free. Harmony with God, likeness to
Him: what can we do to obtain it? The Lord
says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they
shall be white as snow. Though they be red as
Honour the King
| Bro David Yelulani (Banket, Zimbabwe)
I
n the modern world most heads of state are
politicians who managed to be elected by
popular vote. This did not happen in the
ancient world when most were military
leaders using force, or royalty inheriting the
position from family members.
Christianity had begun in Palestine where the
Roman Empire held sway and where Roman
soldiers enforced submission to Roman rule.
Heavy taxes were levied and Christianity
therefore developed in a situation of oppres-
sion. Within a few short decades it became a
crime to be a Christian at all in the Roman
Empire, and some emperors instigated perse-
cutions. By the time the advice, “Honour the
King” was given, the Christians to whom it was
written had known what persecution was.
Despite all this, they are told to honour the
king. Christian leaders were at great pains to
show that Christianity was not a subversive
sect, but a group of quiet, peace-loving citi-
zens. This instruction supports that position.
For Christians, whilst all power belongs to
God, He delegates some of it to rulers so that
they can preserve order for the proper func-
tioning of human society. Therefore, it is a
Christian principle that believers are to honour
the king, or other head of state. This still
applies. Christians who live in peaceful coun-
tries where law and order prevail need to
remember that many do not. Some are in
places where dictators make life very difficult
for them. They need the prayers, encourage-
ment and support of their more favoured
fellow believers.
crimson, they shall be as wool.” “A new heart
also will I give you”.
We have resolved to give ourselves to God.
Now we go to Him in prayer, and ask that he
will wash away our sins and give us a new
heart. There is, therefore, now no condemna-
tion to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so walk ye in him.” We may come
with all our weakness, our sinfulness, and fall
at his feet in penitence (Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel
36:26; Romans 8:1; Colossians 2:6).
“Come unto me all ye that labour” to discover the explanation of things,
“And are heavy laden” with the cares of this life,
“And I will give your rest” from the burden of human futility.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn of me” the divine philosophy of life,
“For I am meek and lowly in heart” and a pattern for you to follow,
“And ye shall find rest unto your souls” in my Kingdom soon to be established.
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”
Matthew 11:28-30