Saintfabank Forum

Both Bible and history have shown that one man can make a difference either in the positive sense of beneficial impact or in a negative sense of destructive impact.  The severe persecution meted out on Christians in the former United Soviet Socialist Republic and other socialist regimes across the world had its root in the philosophy of Karl Max who himself was a product of a father’s hypocritical Christian lifestyle.  He had been raised with a church denominational bias but was disappointed by his father’s identification with another church enomination on the ground of seeking job opportunity.  This led to his rebellion against God and his evolution of atheist ideology  while studying in England.

The profiles of two New England families (Jukes and Edwards) as outlined by Susan and John Yates in their book “What really matters at home”  speaks volumes.  Both Jukes and Edwards lived over 200 years ago:

Max Jukes:

-        A contemporary of Edwards

-        Not a Christian and did not expose to or allow his children to attend church

-        Spent good deal of his life in New England prison

-        Had at least 1,026 descendants (at the time research was conducted)

-        300 spent an average of 13 years in prisons

-        190 were public prostitutes

-        680 were admitted alcoholics

-        His family cost New York thousands of US dollars

-        Does not appear to have made much contribution to the society

Jonathan Edwards

-        A pastor

-        Had at least 929 descendants (as at the time of research)

-        430 were ministers of the gospel

-        86 became University professors

-        13 became University Presidents

-        75 wrote wholesome books

-        5 were elected to the US Congress and 2 to the Senate

-        1 was Vice President of America

-        His descendants did not cost the State one-cent, but rather, contributed immensely to the society.

The above profile is a testimony to the fact that one man can make a difference.   Joseph made a difference in Egypt; Daniel made a difference in Babylon; Esther made a difference in Shushan; Paul made adifference in Asia Minor.   Like in the days of Prophet Ezekiel, God is still seeking for a man who will make the difference. 

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: …” Ezek. 22:30