The Julius Dilemma

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The word “Julius Malema” provokes a lot of reaction these days – for many he has become the embodiment of all that we loathe and fear. The reaction he provokes is often disgust, anger, hatred and fear. And there are “good & valid” reasons for this.

Enter the Gospel.

The integrity of Julius’s true identity salvation is unchallenged by his conduct. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them – this included you, me, Julius Malema; Idi Amin and the Pope. History could not gather enough evidence against mankind to negate the supreme victory of His love revealed in the cross & resurrection. God showed Peter to “call no man common or unclean” – he did not qualify it and it was such a radical departure from the law that God had to show the vision to Peter 3 times. “And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."” (Acts 10:15;28). Paul enjoins us to hold only one judgement: if One died for all, then all have died; therefore we can no longer consider any man from a human point of view. In His death Jesus became lower than the lowest murderer, rapist or any other evil that man can do; if He did not, He would not be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Self-righteousness dictates that we will try to fight darkness with darkness – but that only increases the darkness! Eye for eye, tooth for a tooth, racism for racism, hatred for hatred….. the grace revolution that Jesus introduces says instead:

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also…..But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same…… But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. (Luk 6:27-35)”

This is a radical statement and goes against our instincts of self preservation and human justice. But the revelation of the success of the cross shows us that we can afford to live these verses – to live them is to release His victory over the power of darkness. Darkness does not dispel darkness; only light does! And the outcome is not uncertain – light will dispel darkness! In times like these we can be so aware of “darkness and deep darkness” covering the people; but instead this is our moment! This is the time to arise and shine! The Light that we shine with is the light of the Gospel; the power of the cross and the power of the resurrection – we are no longer men living in the manner of men; we are sons and daughters of God; we are the peacemakers; we have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation!



Isa 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.



2Cor 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.



God is persistent in his love and kindness; he does not give up on people – like in the parable He is standing and watching for the prodigals to return. We should not be like the older brother who thinks the prodigals deserve a dressing down; instead His joy is our joy – how great the joy in heaven over one sinner that repents!



Paul used to be known as Saul – he was a violent and evil man who persecuted the church and killed both women and children. Yet God was not reduced to disgust and despair; He was persistent in His love and revealed Himself to Paul. God wants us to see the Paul in Julius Malema!



Let’s pray that God will change our hearts first; that we will pray for Julius not only because we should & it’s the right Christian thing to do; but because our hearts are overflowing with the love of God!



Do not participate in conversations that badmouth him or speak evil of him; James wrote that the same fountain does not give salt water & fresh water; we cannot with one mouth bless and curse – notice how James links this: Jas 3:9-10 With It (our tongues) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.



The qualification for blessing is the fact that mankind was made in the image of God – NOT their conduct! The lost sheep and the lost coin still have the same value to the Owner; he never changed His mind about them and therefore rejoiced when He found them!



All this does not mean we are not allowed to speak-up against injustice & evil. The key however is to keep ourselves in the love of God; to respect and honor all men; to earnestly desire for them to come to the knowledge of the truth - the difference between judgment and discernment is love.