UBUNTU - I am because we are (Racial Justice awareness)

Ubuntu describes a set of closely related value systems of African origin, emphasising the interconnectedness of individuals with their surrounding societal and physical worlds. It is the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity"

Our focus scripture is Revelation 7:5 : of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed…

Glory be to God for we too as gentiles are sealed! To be sealed to Christ means that upon believing in Him for salvation, we are marked by the Holy Spirit as God's permanent possession, signifying our eternal security and inheritance in Him

Inheritance in Christ is beyond salvation, it is Kingship, its priesthood.  If we endure, we will also reign with him, all rulers shall serve and obey Him, for the one who conquers will sit with Christ on the throne.   Oh, what a day what a wonderful day to look to!  Yet still we have dominion now.  We rule over our faculties.  We have dominion over our choices, we have dominion over our actions.  The awareness of racial injustice has needed to be highlighted because of the abuse of power and lack of subjectivity to Christ, the Spirit of God within us.  Rather than respecting, accepting and loving our differences, we find fault.  But this in not by God's design.

I think it is wonderful that when we truly reflect we can see how all things direct us and redirect us to our Mighty, Great and Merciful Lord, His Love, His principles and His ultimate plan of salvation.  This is not only identified through the principles of Ubuntu but also in various worldwide believes. 

Buddhists believe in ending suffering and achieving enlightenment through the elimination of greed, hatred, and ignorance, thereby escaping the ‘Wheel of life’ which in this belief is the cycle of rebirth. Buddhists believe there is a choice, once having reached the stage of enlightenment, to remain in the cycle of life out of compassion to help other reach the stage of enlightenment.  This links to Ubuntu principles, community, sharing, caring, and selflessness. 

But lets us not forget.. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. He is above every name in this age and those to come, he is far above all principality, power, might and dominion Ephesians 1:21.  He is the Beginning and the End Rev 2:13.  Therefore, whenever and wherever we start, we must start with the Word which is with God, with the Word which is God.

In our second focus scripture Daniel’s vision attests to what is and what will be  He saw One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 13

Now lets consider another belief Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.  Maslow was an American psychologist who created, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, leading to self-actualization. There is no spiritual concept or religiosity connected to Marslow’s theory.

According to Marslow’s hierarchy of need self-actualization is the highest point of potential within human capacity.  To reach this stage Maslow identified four fundamental stages:

The first being Physiological Needs, essential biological requirements; breath, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep needed by all living creatures The next layer according to Maslow is Safety and Security the desire for a predictable and secure life, relating to health, family, social ability, employment and property the latter two sit essentially within this layer as employment generates the necessary income to buy and invest which can translate to generational safety and financial security.  Then as following Maslow’s hierarchy of needs there is Love and Belonging.  Interestingly family sits within both ‘safety and security’ as well as love and belonging.  Too often I have heard people say, ‘That’s not my family, that just my blood’ or ‘Your family is not what you were born into it who you chose.’  A very popular quote is ‘Friends are the family you choose’.  According to Maslow, this layer of love and belonging locates a deep sense of connection the intimate, emotional bond of family and friends.  The last layer leading up to self-actualization according to Malsom is Self-Esteem, wherein confidence achievement, respect from others and the desire for status, recognition and individual identity are pursued

When considering UBUNTU - I am because we are, the Buddhist believe, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and God’s plan of salvation there is a core thread, binding principles affirmed by and through the word of God.  However, the former examples although they are inherently good; they are not sustained by Truth. When we are not sustained by the truth of God we can fall in to ego and boast in ourselves failing to acknowledge that we can do all things ONLY through Christ Jesus.   I my opinion, everyone is searching for something, trying to connect, trying to substantialise, rationalize and bring reason to strategise what our Great Lord has already laid from the foundation of time. Anything absent of the word of God is pure vanity.  To live without acknowledging and given glory to God is to live in a state pride because it serves as a declaration of self-sufficiency.  As good as some principles may be, we must always connect the good to God the Father in heaven. Jesus Christ said that He is the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father accept through me (John 14:6)

The world has a strange way of dismissing God the eternal Father and Jesus the Christ and replacing that factor with self.  My prayer is, let it not be unto us.  If you are reading this please know that you have a dear and loving heavenly Father that desires to draw closer to you.  His nature is not forceful.  He will weep for our lack of understanding, but he will not go against our will.  Our great Lord desires a deeper relationship with us, no matter what stage we are on in our Christian walk for there are no limited in Christ Jesus.  He died for you and he died for me to prove it.  Because of that selfless sacrifice we are afforded the Spirit of God, His omnipresence.  Yes, there are many good gestures within our world, excellent philosophies.  But there is only one truth and only one way to life eternal.  It cannot be earned in deeds and good will.  Nope, not at all, for it is a gift.  Praise the Lord, it is a gift received through the confession of your month that Jesus is Lord and the belief in your heart that God raised him from the dead.

If you haven’t yet accepted Christ Jesus into your heart, there is no more perfect time then now to do so.  Say it: Jesus is Lord and believe it in your heart.  I invite you to check out New Generation Church website, there you can submit a prayer request and find out more information about our services and beginning your journey, or continuing your journey with Jesus. 

Please know we love you deeply and sincerely and you have a home with us at NGC.

God bless you

Scriptures for reflection:

Romans 1:20-21 - All things reflect our Creator

Isaiah 43: 10-12: Witness and declare  - God alone

Galatians 3:14 - promise received by faith

2 Tim 2:12, Rom 8:17 Rev 3:21 – Kingship of Christ

Mark 12:31 -Love, no greater commandment

Mathew 7: 24-27 – Solid truth

Ephesians 4:15-16 love and work together to edify the Body

Romans 9:10 John 3:16  - The gift of salvation, eternal life