The teaching that faith as small as a mustard seed can empower one to accomplish any goal is a profound lesson Jesus imparted to His disciples and Christians throughout history. A “believer” is someone who fully accepts Jesus’ teachings. His words extend beyond the immediate circle of disciples. Jesus taught that the primary reason for failure in challenging endeavors is not insufficient education, but a deficit of faith. Those who are earnest may be inclined to investigate the causes of their failures.
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:17-20 NKJV)
In response to the curious disciples, Jesus explained that failure stemmed from an absence of faith. Being faithless is akin to being imprisoned, needlessly preventing humans from attaining their desired goals. A shortfall of information leads to a lack of faith, as individuals may doubt the effectiveness of methods to gain knowledge. For example, to those who have never driven, operating a car seems miraculous. However, once they gain the experience, driving no longer appears miraculous. This principle holds, for any endeavour, including the exploration of space and landing on the moon.
Before we tackle the methods of accomplishing the impossible, we must first understand the definition of humanity. Limiting factors are often the cause of a lack of faith. Every individual, as seen by the naked eye, is a manifestation of God’s creation. Each physical entity, as noted among different species, is unique to its kind. God is the benchmark for humanity. To disbelieve this, despite its affirmation in the Bible, is to highlight the root of insufficient faith. Realizing this truth can profoundly alter one’s perspective on any topic.
Many brilliant minds often face failure due to doubts instilled by discouragement from others. This invalidation frequently originates from those in positions of authority who assume the right to oversee others without divine sanction. Jesus explicitly instructed His disciples to avoid assuming the title of Rabbi, which denotes a spiritual teacher, as stated in Matthew 23:8: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.”
The adoption of rabbinical teachings among humans is often justified by the belief that Jesus was the unique figure to emerge directly from God. True knowledge comes from the source itself. This doesn’t mean we should ignore what others say, but it does mean that all Biblical teachings ought to be evaluated in light of Jesus’ teachings. For instance, if my statements are consistent with Jesus’ teachings, it would be unreasonable to credit them to me. Like anyone, I might serve as a conduit for Jesus’ messages, but this does not bestow upon me the status of a Rabbi.
The rejection of information by those in positions of authority, due to their invalidation of my personality, should not discourage me. Such uncomfortable feelings would stem from a lack of faith. A faithful person is not swayed by distractions but remains steadfast, focusing on Jesus as the sole Rabbi. The dismissive attitudes of those who find solace in undermining my character should not concern me. Jesus suggested that rejection by worldly individuals is a blessing, signifying a connection to Him.
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:20 NIV).
However, to denounce the behaviour of such dismissive characters would be another instance of lacking faith, on my part. Rejection by friends is unpalatable to anyone in this world. Yet, the tenets of Christianity clearly state that rejection is indicative of God’s approval. A person who grasps the concept of self-denial can never truly fathom the impact of rejection. The cost of Christianity led to the brutal martyrdom of the early apostles, except John. To face rejection alone without physical harm places one even further below those known only to God.
Christians hold that God’s work knows no bounds. Christ’s presence resides among those known solely to Him. Although I may view myself as a lone herald of truth, I must also eschew the belief that my writings are beyond error. Nevertheless, I compose with a clear conscience and welcome well-founded corrections. Such openness grants me freedom. Those who discern errors yet refrain from notifying me, bear their own accountability before God.
The idea of marketing my products or focusing on a particular audience does not align with my beliefs, especially considering the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13). My experiences have taught me that one cannot safely presume that God’s outreach is limited to those who seem receptive. Unexpected solitary praises have surprised me, underscoring that God’s work is limitless. Often, it’s not just those in my immediate circle who are meant to receive God’s messages. Disapproval from them should not be seen as a cause for discouragement.
I hail from a nation ravaged by economic and political strife, lacking even its own currency. The absence of formal education could have deterred my aspirations to write. I am also well past the age of retirement. Frequent power outages compel me to write in the stillness of the night, hindering the pursuit of projects by conventional measures. Resources are limited, and essentials like food are a struggle to secure. Yet, faith persists as an abundant resource, a testimony I am now ready to share without reservation, in the hope that it will inspire Christians far and wide.
The assurance of being a child of God eliminates the fear of failure, propelling me forward until God chooses to call me from this physical existence. The beneficiaries of this project may be a third generation from now. It is not my place to conjecture on the timing or the people, as I am now conscious of God’s transcendence of time. The most thrilling experience in my life has been the emergence of resilience within me, even in the absence of support from my kin. Thus, I have understood that nothing is unattainable as long as one clings to faith.
The motivation to engage in God’s work should come from within, rather than from external sources. For individuals looking to strengthen their faith, there are three crucial elements to consider: prayer, acknowledging oneself as a child of God, seeking guidance exclusively from Jesus’ teachings, and recognizing His unparalleled authority. This understanding surpasses all others. This leaves no room for being boastful, but pointing everything to Jesus.
Considering these three elements progressively is essential: First, recognizing Jesus as both human and the Son of God. Emulating Him leads to an understanding of what it means to be a Child of God. This understanding necessitates a commitment to the teachings of Jesus alone, disregarding other viewpoints. Praying as Jesus instructed enhances one’s connection with God and serves as a source of inspiration. Focusing exclusively on Jesus removes any doubts in one’s faith. There is no need to entertain ideas from other perspectives; embracing the teachings of Jesus as the ultimate truth fortifies one’s faith. Christianity is distinct from denominationalism, which often prioritizes affiliation over the teachings of Jesus.
The tale of David’s encounter with Goliath should serve as an additional source of inspiration for the faithful. Goliath posed a colossal challenge to the Israelites. It required a youth with David’s courage to face what seasoned warriors had avoided. What fueled David’s unwavering determination? He was aware that God’s power knew no bounds. In matters of faith, David had no physical benchmark; he relied solely on God’s word. Moreover, Jesus suggested that Christians surpass all the ancient prophets in stature.
“For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:10-13 NKJV).
The rationale behind Jesus’ assertion that the least in God’s Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist is not hard to comprehend. It was through Jesus’ sacrifice that God could dwell among humans. The Holy Spirit, as promised, endowed the disciples with extraordinary power. A Christian, like God, is not limited by anything. This empowers the children of God to venture into uncharted territories with the confidence to face any challenge undaunted. What is considered to be death, is gain to God’s children.
A child of God does not waste time reflecting on the actions of others before pursuing what they are divinely inspired to undertake. They are driven by the Holy Spirit, not by the actions of their peers. They are not subject to teaching by others, akin to how Jesus was not taught by anyone during His earthly life. This is why overseeing God’s children is deemed risky. Jesus issued this warning when His disciples questioned Him about leadership in the Church.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV).
Engaging with God’s children means interacting with those considered greater than John the Baptist, who himself was esteemed above the ancient prophets. The teachings of Jesus are so nuanced that he had to employ parables to prevent people from recklessly rushing into the Kingdom of God. The inherent danger lies in the perpetual condemnation suggested by Jesus in the aforementioned Scripture. While the disciples were tasked with being fishers of men, they were not to be their instructors. Their duty was to baptize believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, leaving it to God to engage with these individuals without further human interference.
Counseling those people would imply following God’s guidance, rather than providing opinions. In other words, every question would need to be answered Biblically. Where the counsellor is unsure, he or she would then be expected to say so. He or she would only promise to come back after thoroughly searching the Scriptures to obtain the answer. If unable to find the answer the person counselling would then help the enquirer to appreciate the power inherent in him or her, for guidance in finding the answer.
The challenging Biblical texts are often the product of entrenched traditional views rather than direct communication from Jesus. Evaluating on behalf of another believer is highly perilous. It differs from proclaiming one’s own beliefs as supported by Scripture. It is erroneous to guide someone to the right when Scripture directs them to the left. Such misdirection could be considered one of the grave missteps of Bishops in Christian Churches. The important thing to take note of is that Christianity has one authority.
One of the two main reasons for people to pursue leadership roles in Christian Churches is for financial benefit, particularly in congregations where tithing is strictly enforced. Vulnerable believers are often persuaded to follow the deceptive doctrines of such insatiable false prophets. The second reason is the pursuit of prestige. Remarkably, despite Christianity’s lack of physical allure, its leadership can possess a level of prestige that sometimes surpasses political power. Diligently adhering to the teachings of Jesus makes it easier to identify such frauds.
Departing from traditional Christian norms can liberate a person to follow Christ’s guidance. This freedom allows one to heed Jesus’ call without constraints. Although perceived as challenging by the physically minded, engaging in God’s work is not arduous. It may be the most fulfilling of all worldly pursuits. It is as feasible and relevant as the belief that nothing is impossible with God, particularly regarding the alleviation of fears surrounding death.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, 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, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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