Lead SA

Pastor Leigh Robinson

Along with all patriotic South Africans, I applaud the initiative Primedia Broadcasting and the Independent Newspapers have taken in launching LEAD SA.

“Lead SA . . . aims to highlight the achievements of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, for their families and for their country. Lead SA encourages individuals to stand up and accept responsibility for the challenges they face. The Lead SA initiative is a long term project that is set to be rolled out over the next few years. Through the small steps of individuals the nation will improve and prosper.” (Quoted from the LEAD SA website) 

While LEAD SA is new, it is not new. For a number of years Garth Japhet and the HEARTLINES team, many of whom are members of RUC, have been seeking through a variety of creative means to influence the values and conduct of ordinary South Africans in order to bring about positive changes in our wonderful country. LEAD SA will build on and add to the work HEARTLINES has been doing.

As I read through the aims of LEAD SA I was struck by how Biblical they are. Here’s another quote from the website:

“As a South African, you have the resilience and passion needed to change the nation. It may seem like a huge responsibility and an impossible task, but it’s certainly achievable if you choose to simply do the right thing. Together we can achieve immeasurable success.

Here are a few simple ways to become a proactive leader:

  1. Stand up for what’s right. If you’ve had a glass too many, let a designated driver take you home.
  2. Stand up to corruption. Don’t bribe.
  3. Stand up for morality. Report crime.
  4. Stand up for your community. Get to know your neighbours.
  5. Stand up against indifference. Take an interest in those around you.
  6. Stand up for free speech. Listen to the other side.
  7. Stand up for your future. Respect the environment.
  8. Stand up for education. Read to your children.
  9. Help instead of hinder. Say yes when asked to do a favour, don’t look for excuses.
  10. Acknowledge goodness. When you have something good to say, say it.”

There is no doubt that, because of God’s common grace, many non-Christians can and will choose to simply do the right thing. But the reality is that, because of humankind’s fallenness, doing the right thing is not all that simple. Determination, guts, patriotism, and neighbourliness can only take us so far. It’s not long before we are undone by our basic sinfulness and selfishness. A change of heart is necessary—a change of heart that only Jesus can effect. This means that the very best thing we as followers of Jesus can do for people and for our country is to be faithful in sharing the gospel with as many people as possible.

The Bible reminds us of the vital relationship between salvation and good works in Titus 2:11-14:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

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