This life is full of problems. But those problems have got nothing to do with Christ, the only solution to all problems of this world. A newly converted person may face problems, more than he/she ever faced before conversion. While Christ has solutions to all problems, Christ is not the author of problems.
Such problems can be experienced by way of persecution, or being effect of failure to face past responsibilities. But Jesus has got ready answers to all problems. That condition which brings discomfort, making life extremely unbearable to those concerned, is a problem.
Such problems could be marital, financial, health or anything making it impossible to receive the fullest potential, in one’s existence. A problem is anti-survival. The scientific community is viewed as having made strides towards discovering reasons for catastrophes, like what is called ‘natural disasters.’
Faced with growth challenges, like parasitic worms, may cause any plant to fail to reach its potential. The survival of any plant gets threatened by parasitic worms or other creatures, benefiting from that plant’s existence. A plant faces threats of extinction, when devoured by other creatures that survive on it, without considering its perpetual existence.
Having discovered any plant’s beneficial properties, responsible human beings can ensure the longevity of its progeny. The management of Earth’s resources was one of the functions for which humanity was created. The restoration of that responsibility serves to eliminate problems known to exist on this planet.
There is nothing ever created without purpose. However, not everything created has its purpose readily known by humanity. Unfortunately, most of what God created; whose purpose is unknown gets abused, due to ignorance.
This is why some of the species are now extinct, though having existed before. This is also why we even hear of drug abuses, or the development of nuclear weapons, using the power of the discovered nucleus in atom.
But, nothing in this world was ever created without beneficial value. The demise of some species, due to abuse, leaves a gap, impossible to fill, thereby, threatening the survival of humanity. All our problems are associated with what is called mismanagement of Earth’s resources.
This is the greatest challenge facing this planet. It remains, as long as what causes it is not discovered. The false information that is available makes people think negatively, thereby replicating more problems, or even generating new challenges, in the process.
Before looking at possible solutions, let us look at the actual causes of all known problems in this world. Today, everyone focuses on immediate benefits, without regard for what the future holds. This includes those succumbing to corruption.
It seems the way people behave is not different from the behavior of hyenas and jackals? Like most brute animals, the behavior of these animals appears as having no consideration for the future. Only human beings are predisposed with the mind capacity to think about the future, given time to analyze.
This is why human beings are able to evaluate before concluding on things constituting evasion of such problems. However, people also have a tendency to focus more on problems than solutions.
The example of pacifying a stormy sea, reveals that Jesus was the solution to all problems (Mark 4:35-41). Those seamen found themselves in a helpless situation, but Jesus simply showed that He was the solution to their problems. If they knew who Jesus was they would not have focused on the storm.
Jesus did not still the sea waters just to display His fiat; but to also reveal knowledge, necessary in handling created things. A wise man cannot prefer other sources of information, ahead of the skillful manufacturer of the product.
Foolishness is like going elsewhere, to handle a problem with an automobile vehicle, whose manufacture is available. For whatever reasons, a person who ignores the manufacturer, but spending resources, consulting other people, lacks wisdom and common sense.
All problems of this world emanate from lacking this datum. As broadly revealed in the previous article, [The invisible Christ is not the instrument] the majority of people may still not know anything about Jesus.
Those people who got healed, or had their problems handled, had come to grips with who the Christ was. This is why Jesus always stated: “Go in peace, your faith has healed you” (Mark 5:34). This was repeated to those having encountered the reality of Jesus, thereby, having their problems handled, accordingly.
If people knew who the Christ was, there would be no problem in the entire world. However, most people take interest in focusing on problems, some of which are considered as insurmountable. But it has long become unnecessary to continue focusing on problems, anymore. This is why Jesus declared Himself as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
The identity of Jesus, as the Christ, lies not in making a religion out of the person of Jesus [Jesus the Servant and Christ the Lord]. But that, in knowing Jesus, the God who created all things is revealed. Those encountering problems should know that the only way to solve problems, regardless of how difficult, lies in approaching the person with that information.
The advent of Jesus implies that God is no longer a mystery. We can now relate with Him in a personal way. He dwells among people with whom we interact. Unfortunately, in the same way that the Jews refused to accept Jesus, many people also continue to look for solutions from wrong sources.
They cannot find Christ, because they hope to find Him from the wrong sources. Christ lives among human beings, though not being any of those human beings. This is one of the mysteries of all ages. While knowledge is necessary for acquiring information it is impossible to acquire information about Christ, “unless one becomes like a little child”, said Jesus, (Mark 10:15).
Perhaps the strangest datum lies in that, to acquire knowledge about God, you first need to be like a fool. It is not possible for the wise, according to world’s standards, to acquire knowledge about God (James 4:10) (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).
All over the world, people love talking about problems. This makes them feel important. But to those having identified with Christ, the word “problem” is removed from their vocabulary. Jesus was simply stating the obvious, when He declared that those believing in Him would do greater things than he had done during His sojourn on earth (John 14:12-14).
It is no longer necessary to pay profanely, for whatever is considered as scarce knowledge, anymore. All things can now be achievable. Death is feared most in this world; but death is the last battle, won by Jesus on the cross:
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56) (ESV).
Those identifying with Jesus are no longer under the Law, just as Jesus was not under the Law. The reason why Jesus could not be under the Law is because He was the Christ. But, as the Christ, Jesus was the same God who instituted the Law, which was necessary for humans, until Christ’s revelation.
As soon as we identify with Him, we cease to think like the world thinks. We begin to think like Jesus. We are no longer attached to the things we used to enjoy doing. We become attached to things we used to be uncomfortable with.
The Law was mechanically necessary for the physical humans. However, the fulfillment of the Law was achieved in Jesus, who is the real solution to every human problem (Matthew 5:17). It is no longer possible for a person who knows Christ to sin, having found all solutions in Jesus (1 John 2:4).
The reality of this is demonstrated by the two parables given by Jesus:
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-45) (ESV).
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from 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 reliefs to those having witnessed strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long awaited providential oasis of hope.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99
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