THE POWER OF ONE 

My wife and I live in southern Tasmania, Australia's island state, separated from the Australian mainland by  Bass Strait to the south of the state of Victoria, some 150 miles or 241 kilometres away. With the Coronavirus pandemic leading to severe lockdowns of cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne over the past eighteen months, with much negative impact on business, family life, mental health, and the general ability of millions to live normal lives - to say nothing of all the border closures,  Australia  now seems to be a set of autonomous regions lead by control freak Premiers imposing draconian restrictions on the populous, with the sole purpose of containing a virus, which has no sign of going away!

The coercion for the masses to be vaccinated with the experimental "vaccines" in order for life to return to normal has seen apparent violations of human rights, and bullying tactics of government and business to try to exclude the renegade unvaccinated. Never mind that there have been tens of thousands of adverse reactions to the AZ and Pfizer jabs, and an undisclosed number of deaths from these drugs, and mainstream and social media giants are pushing the official government - health bureaucrats narrative for all its worth, and seeking to shut down any and all contrary concerns.

The above is not to deny the reality of the coronavirus and its seriousness as a communicable illness - and the need to take measures to seek to protect the weak and vulnerable. The fact that governments have felt it necessary to take extreme measures, whether fully justified and justifiable has impacted millions around the nation.

Now that I have gotten the above off of my chest, as it were, let me come to this point in time, from where we live in southern Tasmania. As of 6pm yesterday, the Greater Hobart region and other outlying local government areas (LGA's) have been placed into a three day lockdown, closing down most business, and schools until 6pm Monday. Residents of these areas are only permitted to leave their homes for clearly specified reasons, and can only travel in a radius of 5km from places of residence. THIS IS THE NEGATIVE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF ONE!

These drastic measures have been made necessary to be enacted by the State Premier, Peter Gutwein, because of the totally selfish and irresponsible and rebellious behaviour of ONE MAN, who returned from New South Wales by plane, testing positive, was placed in hotel quarantine in Hobart, and subsequently absconded from the hotel. He was in the community for eighteen hours, apparently, visiting an unknown number of places, but including a supermarket - before being apprehended by police and returned to quarantine. He has been most uncooperative with the authorities, as well. 

It is astonishing, but true, that one man's actions will cost businesses in southern Tasmania probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in lost income over this three day period. Livelihoods of many workers will also be affected to some degree.

It is true, as the Bible tells us that: Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 

We are not islands unto ourselves. How true it is that our actions and behaviour can have ripple effects, affecting those around us and beyond - for good or evil.

If we turn to the Bible, and go right back to the first book of Genesis, we see that the sin and rebellion of one man (and his wife) lead to separation from fellowship with the Living God, and that separation because of sin and the sinful nature of man has blighted the human race ever since.

BUT, PRAISE THE LIVING GOD, because of the POWER OF ONE, the Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten - His One and only Son, came to earth as a baby, grew to be a man, ministered life and healing and deliverance over three years from the age of thirty, then died a criminal's death on the cross of Calvary, the sinless Son of God, dying in our place for our sins, and triumphantly rose from the dead three days later, ever more to make intercession for the saints, seated at the right hand of the Father in glory.  This is the greatest and most profoundly wonderful POWER OF ONE!

God is calling His committed Bible believing, Holy Spirit anointed followers to lay down their lives, to take up their cross daily, to count the cost of being a true disciple of Jesus - then shining forth the Light of Jesus to a lost and hurting and dying world, and to display to those who need to receive God's grace and His mercy and His love and His forgiveness and His wholeness - the awesome, Holy Ghost and fire POWER OF ONE (wholly sold out to Jesus).

To find out how to become a Christian, go online to: www.vision.org.au This is the online home of Vision Christian Media in Australia. Click on the "Grow your faith" tab, then "Looking for God?" God Bless!