“Bear with each other and forgive one another
Colossians 3:13 (NIV UK)
if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Today marks South Africa’s 27th Day of Reconciliation.
When hate, fear and retribution could have caused new suffering, South Africans instead chose to work together in the difficult work of forgiveness and healing. Created to celebrate and encourage the coming together of different groups, the Day of Reconciliation continues to be a meaningful reminder both of how much healing has been accomplished and of how much remains to be done.
Truly, there are few civic holidays that resonate so well with Christ’s message of grace and salvation—of reconciling all the world with God. Of choosing to forgo punishing us for our sins and instead offering us eternal life with Him. Of loving our neighbours despite history, heartache or harm. Of accepting forgiveness and working through restoration.
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—”
Colossians 1:19-22 (NIV UK)
As Christians, we believe that true reconciliation can only be had through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and we remain committed to sharing that message and opportunity with those living and dying in communities where He is least known. As people who love South Africa and who care about the lives, struggles and eternity of its many people, we believe Christ has called us to be His hands and feet in alleviating suffering and need as well as His witnesses in declaring His message.
Please join us in praying for the good of our country and its people, for justice and healing, and for reconciliation—for today, for tomorrow, and for all time.