The concept of winners and losers in Christianity is a complex one. Some believe that Christianity does not have winners and losers in the traditional sense, as it teaches that every person is valued and loved by God. Others argue that there are indeed winners and losers, with winners being those who have faith in Jesus Christ and follow His teachings, and losers being those who do not. Ultimately, the interpretation of winners and losers in Christianity varies among individuals and denominations.
Two thousand years on, the teachings of Jesus continue to be misunderstood and misapplied. The celebrated achievements of individuals often appear to be at odds with the fundamental values of the Christian faith. Membership in a Christian community, or even a leadership role within the church, prompts reflection. What are the qualities of a good Christian? Such questions underscore the existing inconsistencies within Christianity. The famous parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man serves as a prime example of the frequent misinterpretations of Jesus’ teachings.
The arrival of Jesus is often hailed as a major boon for humankind, depending on which aspects of Christianity one chooses to embrace. A devout Christian can positively impact their environment without resorting to conspicuous expressions of faith. Common sense alone can often discern the innate goodness in people, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Certain regions of the globe are deemed blessed, regardless of Christianity’s absence there. Considering life’s transitory nature, the time available may be too brief for many to make significant changes in their lives.
In the parable, Lazarus, a beggar, achieves paradise, eclipsing a businessman of high standing. The story does not clearly articulate the grounds for Lazarus’s elevation to paradise over the businessman who did, after all, offer crumbs for Lazarus’s sustenance. Given a cultural backdrop that associates blessings with affluence, it raises the question: what actions could the wealthy man have taken to lead a life deemed acceptable?
This presents a considerable challenge regarding the nature of genuine Christianity. Merely identifying oneself as a Christian might ironically distance one from the true essence of Christian identity. However, actions taken in Jesus’ name bestow a measure of grace, perhaps even on those who are oblivious to it. Our objective is to achieve a deep understanding of Christianity, especially for those striving to sidestep potential missteps. This is crucial in light of the widespread deceptions among the numerous Christian denominations, globally.
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward” (Mark 9:38-41 NIV).
Jesus highlighted a vital aspect of His expectations for human behaviour, separate from Christian practices. The Day of Judgment, as described, separates humanity into two groups: the righteous on the right and the unrighteous on the left, without Christian attachment. He depicted the Day of Judgment events, excluding Christians. That judgment encompasses every person who has ever lived, except Christians, whom He referred to as His brethren.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’” (Matthew 25:31-36 NKJV).
Righteous individuals are recognized by their adherence to righteous principles. Understanding the parable is crucial to comprehending Jesus’ mission. Competing to surpass one another in defining Christianity is not in harmony with Jesus’ teachings. Our goal is to explore the essence of true Christianity as Jesus delineated it, referencing pertinent scriptural texts. We aspire for God’s message to reach those God intends to reach.
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:37-40 NKJV).
The text implies that caring for Jesus’ brethren is a mark of righteousness. Righteous individuals may not realize that their actions qualify them for entry into the Kingdom of God. It’s important to understand that Jesus’ kin are not subjects of the Final Judgment. Peter suggests that judgment for Christians takes place during the current Christian age (1 Peter 4:17). Those identified as Jesus’ brethren are accorded special honour and should not be mistaken for ordinary humans. They embody true Christianity, separate from the prevalent beliefs found in denominational contexts.
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:41-45 NKJV).
In the same vein, the condemnation of the damned stems from their neglect to aid Jesus’ kin. Moreover, the cursed would be oblivious to the neglect of Jesus’ brethren. Acts of kindness or cruelty originate from the heart and are independent of Christianity. Notably, neither group would recognize Jesus’ kin. Their judgment would rest on their intrinsic actions. Therefore, the notion that deep involvement in the Christian faith is essential to gain God’s favour seems incorrect.
This raises an important question: Does Christianity have winners and losers? According to the teachings of Jesus, Christianity is not about winning or losing but about having or lacking conviction. The crucial step is to acknowledge oneself as a child of God, which is achieved by a firm dedication to the teachings of Jesus. He stated that to follow Him, one must be willing to give up everything, potentially including family, spouse, children, or other attachments.
Jesus’ brothers are not separate from Jesus himself. Their experiences and traits are not necessarily determined by social status. Despite being rejected by many and accepted by a few, they remain God’s children, mirroring the path of Jesus, the Son of God even amidst widespread rejection. Their worth is not dependent on human judgments of virtue. To judge them would be akin to judging Jesus, which could be considered an act of great folly. Even though Jesus departed, His presence remains among His followers, as evidenced during Paul’s conversion.
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:1-5 NKJV).
While persecuting believers, Paul was unaware that his actions were against Jesus himself. It is a significant folly to presume knowledge in the face of ignorance. Paul had substantial reasons to thank God for helping him forsake the folly that once engulfed him. Influenced by personal biases, many dismiss Jesus, while a few, ready to forsake everything, embrace Him. The prevailing belief among ordinary people was that Jesus had left the earthly realm.
Pretenders are the most precarious, among those associated with Christianity. True Christianity does not distinguish between winners or losers; one is either a Christian or a pretender. While pretenders may deceive other humans, they cannot deceive Christ, who understands everything concealed within their hearts. Humans may find it impossible to discern the true thoughts of others, yet God is omniscient. It is impossible to deceive one’s way into the wedding feast. Sadly, such people are automatically categorized as the evil ones on Judgment Day.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV).
The vehement dismissal of these individuals overlooks the beneficial outcomes of their Christian endeavours. The distinction lies in the fact that the compassionate acts carried out by those recognized by Jesus as His brethren are considered to be Christ’s own. Supporting God’s work mirrors the depiction of the righteous, oblivious to the conditions of those they help. Only God possesses the discernment to distinguish genuine goodwill from hypocrisy. Those recognized as His brethren are portrayed as having forsaken all earthly commendation; underscoring the rationale behind His directive to perform charitable deeds in secret.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
Jesus communicated with those who understood the significance of referring to God as their Father. These individuals would be reborn, no longer acting as the people of this world do. They are the ones Jesus described as inseparable from Him, sharing the same thoughts as God. They stand out in a sinful world, distinguished by their lack of desire for human rewards of any kind.
The content of this narrative should not be interpreted as an encouragement to eagerly identify who Jesus’ brothers ought to be. Instead, it extends an invitation for individuals to contemplate becoming Jesus’ brother. Alternatively, it encourages others to strive for the righteousness that places them among the sheep on Judgment Day. This choice becomes viable when individuals sincerely reflect on their situation in light of Jesus’ words in Luke 14:31-35.
The endeavour to dispel falsehoods throughout one’s life is a monumental task, yet it remains the most essential. Our world is replete with doctrines, philosophies, and ideologies. Yet, Jesus is distinguished as providing the stable datum, for He is the only one acknowledged to have risen from the dead. A person can be as truthful as their conscience confirms. Presumably, there is no fault in choosing the path to perdition if one is convinced of that direction. The most perilous state is to waver between the two, yet aspire to elude 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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