The content of the next instalment of “Dimensions of a New Civilization” is Chapter 1. Kindly remember to give your comments, either in agreement or in disagreement, as we continue on this adventure. Otherwise, by taking the time to read, may you be blessed abundantly, for your support.
I was prompted to write after observing those Christians who seemingly do not appreciate the significance of Christian doctrines. Why does one belong to a particular church group? Could this be a result of conversion; or simply embracing one’s upbringing?
Christianity requires more than mere social grouping. It requires holding principles that are not likened to ordinary social assemblies. Belonging to a group is also found in Christianity. But with added responsibility demanding different behaviour: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV).
True Christians renounce their share in current civilizations, devoid of lasting smiles. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom. 8:22-23 NIV).
The public media churns out remorseful stories daily yet offers no solutions. Corruption taints all spheres of society. Catastrophic political upheavals and government dictatorships haunt the livelihood of ordinary people. The vicious cycle repeats itself, as long as people assume having no alternative towards rational survival.
Added is a barrage of international terrorism by violent religious extremists, xenophobic incidences, thriving business enterprises in dangerous drug dealings, and illicit sex. The volume of such wickedness eases into social acceptance. Some people even consider human rights activities questionable, due to the factor of self-centredness.
Diseases, natural disasters, and deaths send many young children to orphanages and other people to psychiatric asylums. The rampant evil drives weaker characters to commit suicide rather than confront such miseries in this weird world.
It could be argued as true that some people make profits out of the current civilization, like funeral undertakers, drug dealers, security agents, those in arms dealerships, and the public media. Their social and survival interests, combined with the general populace’s alluded illicit behaviour, complicate multiplications of the unacceptable conditions.
In terms of the most unacceptable civilizations, Africa may appear to be displaying the worst based on self-centeredness. However, what affects one section of humanity contagiously spreads to others, regardless of social, racial, political, or economic conditions.
The betterment of human society is the responsibility of those, who, although ill-equipped, desire survival. Normal people appreciate that something is not right. If there has ever been a need to replace this civilization, it is now! God instituted a plan of redemption through Jesus, the only true champion of survival.
Christians, though called from sinfulness, are expected to spread the gospel whose doctrine is altruistic. Even criminals can be used in preaching. Could this be so that no one finds an excuse that God’s ideas do not apply to ordinary people? Or could this have been designed to display the unconditional nature of the plan of redemption?
Jesus personally mentored the twelve disciples, who were to advance the gospel after His departure, later. The disciples were picked from various cultural backgrounds, not necessarily considering their intellectual capabilities and credentials.
They were simple folks, categorized as the unsophisticated of society. They had no record of good conduct to merit this high calling. Designated with apostleship, they were expected to relate in love, regardless of their diversities, as expected to develop the culture of the New Civilization.
The Temptations exerted upon Jesus served to validate His status and mission (Matt. 4:4–10). The same tempter, who left Adam in hopeless spiritual paralysis, leading to the subsequent vanquishing of the entire human race, was used. Jesus––embarking on a crusade to redeem humanity, hitherto spiritually vanquished––overcame where Adam failed.
This confirmed His messiahship. Satan sought to thwart that endeavour, using schemes effectively deceiving mortal humans. However, in Jesus, such schemes could not destroy what had been foreordained to succeed, ultimately.
The demonstration of divine love meant that Jesus had to identify with sinners, perfectly––fulfilling the role of being the perfect sacrifice for their redemption. God’s love had to be manifest in human form, to enlighten those groping within dark shadows of transgression.
Crisscrossing the Galilean region and other surrounding areas, Jesus was accepted by many. Yet those of His hometown could not accept Him. He caused anger, as He read the prophetic scroll, confirming His Messiah-ship. (Luke 4:18-24).
The Jews expected the Messiah to come from somewhere else, but, certainly not from their midst––as if considering that development taboo. Jesus asserted that in history there had not been a prophet accepted in his/her hometown.
Another possible explanation, contributing to outright rejection of Jesus was that they expected the Messiah to be a conquering hero, vanquishing oppressors before re-establishing Israel’s kingdom. They could not envision Christ’s methods consisting of the opposite application.
God’s Kingdom is eternal because it is based on love, instead of hatred. In the current civilization, a kingdom is fortified when enemies are vanquished to establish authority, leaving the vanquished with a desire for revenge. Jesus’ method is that of loving instead of hating enemies––a concept hardly understood by those under the existing civilization.
Loving one’s enemies by no means implies that God condones sin. Jesus’ love helps one to come out of the debilitating sins when identifying with the conscious need for repentance. Those perishing get convicted by their own deliberate choice––when rejecting the offer of redemption.
The miracles He performed throughout Galilee and other surrounding cities made Jesus popular. Wherever He was to be found, spontaneous gatherings would naturally form.
People immediately realised that the man called Jesus was not ordinary. He healed the lepers and the blind––problems hitherto, unsolvable. This attracted attention and fame.
But the religious authorities became gripped with anxiety; wondering how someone, not emerging from well-informed quarters, could suddenly become equipped with such knowledge––attributable only to God. Jesus was more knowledgeable than the religious authorities––causing their anxiety and envy.
They felt challenged, fearing losing people’s patronage––regarding themselves as Jerusalem’s only authentic religious establishment. They enjoyed glory, associated with designations like “Rabbi,” or “High Priest.” But, a serious threat had been emerging from the activities of the man called Jesus.
Nevertheless, Jesus purposefully performed crowd-gripping miracles, delivering most people out of their infirmities, and also helping the twelve to directly learn from Him.
Jesus taught the principles of a New Civilization to the twelve, including various admirers, spontaneously following Him. Like women, the poor and the despised sinners––regarded as unsophisticated––with numbers adding even today.
Those believing––having faith––would do greater miracles (John 14:12). In other words, Jesus’ mission was to duplicate Himself through each of those truthfully applying His principles. Duplicating implies the ability to apply similar principles, such as always qualifying His presence.
Jesus singularly aroused consternation among religious devotees within three and a half years. This was confirmed by the unprecedented miraculous performances––also revealing the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Those in positions of authority were expected to serve in the same manner, as normally expected of menial servants or slaves of that time. Jesus had been their Master. But unlike the religious authorities of that time, He shunned being served.
Jesus demonstrated the meaning of servitude by foot-washing His disciples, before His crucifixion (John 13:4–15). His true followers were expected to do likewise and teach those under their influence to do the same.
The foot-washing custom had been cherished, and enjoyed by masters, as performed by servants or slaves of that time. The New Civilization demanded those considered masters to serve––enabling traditional servants to access privileges––all along enjoyed by masters.
People had admired the comfort enjoyed by those in authority. But the new way of life sought to reverse that comfort. This was a radical approach embracing new teachings.
It had been considered heroic to massacre all enemies of Israel (1 Sam. 30:17). However, in Jesus it is heroic to love enemies and pray for their deliverance (Matt. 5:44).
Pyramidal structures in leadership prevailed then, just as similarly prevailing today. Comfort is experienced by the person at the apex––admired by those at the base. The New Civilization demands an inversion of the pyramid so that those in leadership carry the burdens of the least privileged.
In preaching the gospel, the danger lies in the tangible success stories––not in perceived failures––as success brings the possibility of thinking highly of oneself. Such good feelings conjecture what awaits such people:
“Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father…Many will say to me that day, ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:21-23 NIV).
People exposed are those displaying their Curriculum Vitae or personal résumé for the achievements made. To such people, Christ declares: “I never knew you!” This is unlike those being gracefully received, displaying astonishment at being rewarded for good works (Matt. 25:31-40).
Jesus needs no one, to accomplish His missions. Boasting about perceived achievements is dangerous, as identifying with Satan––so proud as to be cast down from the angelic realm in heaven (Isaiah 14:12–15). Those bragging about successes in the business world, stand a better chance than those boasting about achievements in the business of preaching the gospel.
God can use anyone without the need to share the glory with those of the flesh. Enabling anyone, God may use even those opposed to Christianity. The stories of the Wise men from the East and the conversion of Paul are cases in point.
This assertion is not a problem for those clear in appreciating that one is not saved by works, but through Christ, by grace. If so, there is no room for boasting about anything––even though ordinarily, humans insist that achievers deserve such accolades.
Jesus advised His disciples to focus on what constituted their names being included in the Book of Life, rather than indulging in the effects of the so-called achievements on God-assigned missions (Luke 10:18–20).
The cause of Christianity––the basis of the New Civilization––is grounded on Christ, the only champion with the keys to human salvation.
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Isa. 28:16 NIV).
Those taking up the faith of Jesus cannot be uncertain about attaining the offered salvation. They remove all forms of confidence in themselves after some perceived successes in their Christian ministries. This is ratified:
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery…..For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers…, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he suffered when he was tempted, he can help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 2:14–18 NIV).
Surviving in the flesh leaves us vulnerable. So, to remain focused, we need Jesus more than human abilities.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith––and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God––not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8–9 NIV).
Ostensibly, what all this implies is that one cannot be saved by being good. Neither can anyone be saved by avoiding being bad. We cannot be saved by being better than worse. But we can only be saved by God’s grace, as God gives it freely.
The effects of God’s Kingdom remain unfathomable. Those accepting the Christian calling; at times reflect worse conditions than before conversion, due to problems associated with pride. This stems from a failure to understand basic principles, analysed here below.
But, those taking advantage of Christian provisions wield the power that restores relationships, purging evil and subduing popular philosophies. Self-centredness needs to be discarded, before adopting altruism, sustaining the New Civilization.
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.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99