Christianity has faced opposition since its inception. The early apostles endured persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom—yet they embraced suffering, knowing that faithfulness to Christ mattered more than preserving their physical lives. The term “Christianity” itself has pagan origins (Acts 11:26), and Jesus never commanded His followers to adopt this label. In fact, the apostles rarely used it, suggesting the usage was more common among Gentiles than among believers.
Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God and established His Church on the truth that all who follow Him would be children of God. Entry into this community requires repentance and baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Yet, many who call themselves Christians today prioritise tradition over transformation, rituals over relationship, and reputation over repentance. They forget that discipleship demands sacrifice, just as Jesus sacrificed Himself.
This comes from the comfort people find in traditions and populism, often overlooking that Christianity calls for surrendering everything. The false gospel emphasises acquiring rather than giving up. To understand the root of this mistake, it’s important to see that Christianity requires rejecting worldly views. This problem may not be intentional but often stems from a lack of awareness of certain truths.
The Misunderstood Messiah
One of the most remarkable aspects of Jesus is His simplicity. He bore no physical distinction from other Jewish men of His time—no halo, no glowing aura. This explains why Judas had to identify Him with a kiss (Matthew 26:48-49). The only sign Jesus gave to an unbelieving generation was His resurrection (Matthew 12:38-40), a response to the scepticism of the religious elite. The sign is vital, calling for a comparison to Satan’s strategies.
Titles, while meaningful in society, hold little significance in God’s Kingdom, but signify the person’s qualification. Jesus was called “Christ,” yet He never demanded to be addressed by that title. Many knew Him simply as “Jesus of Nazareth.” His authority came not from labels but from His actions—teaching, healing, and loving sacrificially. Similarly, true faith is measured not by titles (“Pastor,” “Bishop,” “Doctor”) but by genuine fruit (Matthew 7:16-20).
The Danger of Seeking Status as a Sign of Authority
A revealing moment occurred when the mother of James and John requested special thrones for her sons in Christ’s Kingdom. She was as confused as her two sons. The other disciples’ indignation revealed their own desire for status—a worldly mindset that Jesus quickly addressed. In God’s Kingdom, true greatness is found in serving others, not in self-promotion (Matthew 20:20-28).
This incident highlights a critical distinction: a form of “expressing” one’s abilities, versus “impressing” others. The disciples sought to impress, but Jesus lived to express the Father’s will. When Satan tempted Him to leap from the Temple pinnacle (Matthew 4:5-7), Jesus refused—not because He couldn’t, but because miracles should never be reduced to spectacle. Miraculous performances reduce miracles to an impression, rather than an expression.
Christians can sometimes get caught up in trying to impress others instead of focusing on their true calling. They might seek approval and validation from those around them, thinking it aligns with what God wants. Some may even go out of their way to earn admiration, but this often comes from a desire to impress rather than genuine faith. Reflecting on how Satan tempted Jesus to prove himself, those Christians might unknowingly fall into a similar trap. Like the mother of James and John, they may not fully realise the consequences of their actions.
The Trap of Performance-Based Faith
Many modern Christians, like the Pharisees, fall into the trap of performance. They are often caught fumbling, assuming to be safe, but not, due to:
- Entrapment in pretence over authenticity (Matthew 23:27-28)
- Seeking human approval over divine approval (John 12:43)
- Confusing religious activity with true devotion (Matthew 7:21-23)
This hypocrisy is more dangerous than outright atheism. Jesus reserved His harshest rebukes not for sinners but for religious leaders who “shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). Curbing this malady requires a deliberate review of one’s identity, without consideration of anyone else’s viewpoint. The uniqueness of each person is as peculiar as any other, but identifiable in God, in whose image the person was created.
The Path Forward: Express, Don’t Impress
Paul warned, “If I give all I possess to the poor… but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). This suggests the idea of giving for purposes of impressing, rather than expressing a heartfelt benevolence without yearning for acknowledgement. Sacrifice without sincerity is meaningless. Jesus modelled this in prayer, condemning empty repetitions (Matthew 6:7-8) and teaching His disciples to pray with humility (Luke 18:9-14).
The ultimate question is whether, among the millions or even billions of Christians worldwide, we truly have followers of Christianity or its opponents. Answering this requires personal reflection, not seeking approval or recognition from others. Following Christ means avoiding the need to impress anyone in this world. The spread of the true Gospel faces its greatest resistance not from secular opposition but from counterfeit Christianity—faith that prioritises:
- Tradition over truth
- Reputation over repentance
- Performance over presence
Conclusion: Returning to the Heart of the Gospel
Jesus’ return hinges on the global proclamation of the true Gospel (Matthew 24:14). To prepare, true believers must:
- Reject hypocrisy—stop performing for human applause.
- Embrace authenticity—express faith, without impressing others.
- Focus on Jesus’ words—without human interpretations.
The biggest challenge to Christianity isn’t outside persecution but internal corruption, which often drives potential followers away. The Church can reclaim its mission—being the light of the world rather than reflecting pride—by returning to Christ’s teachings. This isn’t a job for one person alone; it’s up to anyone to use social media to spread the truth far and wide.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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