In this world, there are individuals unsure of how to handle surplus food, while others perish from starvation. Those with food might be oblivious to the existence of those in dire need, and conversely, those in need might be unaware of how to find those with food to spare. The absence of food could stem from a lack of ethics or simple ignorance. Conversely, the abundance of food could be attributed to ethical practices and adequate education. Given that love is about mutual kindness, it’s challenging to determine which group lacks compassion.
Blame is frequently assigned to those with excess food, while the less fortunate, struggling with hunger, are often deemed irresponsible. Yet, it is not fair to always attribute the frugality of the poor to their own actions. Likewise, an abundance of food does not automatically imply ethical behaviour or responsible environmental management. The idea that surplus is indicative of ethical practices is misguided. We live in a world plagued by corruption, where millionaires may possess wealth that was not justly acquired.
Corruption is not confined to local boundaries, as those who are corrupt often have international connections. Becoming a billionaire is an uncommon accomplishment that confers a high status upon an individual. However, it is rare for people to scrutinize how a billionaire has attained their wealth, often attributing it to astuteness. A billionaire may appear benevolent, yet their fortune could be marred by concealed heinous crimes. The world remains a mystery, driven by avarice and reinforced by the admiration coming from those living in poverty. The stark reality is that accumulating wealth does not correlate with ethical behaviour or a sound education.
Jesus frequently addressed issues of wealth, not to suggest that poverty is virtuous, but to critique the wealthy. In an equitable business environment, it’s improbable for an ethical person to suffer poverty. However, in a corrupt system, it’s often the ethical individuals who are pushed into poverty, while the unethical are elevated to positions of esteem. The account of the widow praised by Jesus for her contribution, which He highlighted as surpassing those of the wealthy, serves as a poignant illustration.
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had” (Luke 21:1-4 NKJV).
The widow chose to give away all she had, despite not knowing how she would obtain her next meal because she prioritized the needs of others above her own. This selflessness mirrors the sacrifice Jesus made when He gave His life for all humanity. The enduring question remains: what can one do for others, viewed as outweighing personal gain, as an answer to the world’s pressing challenges? It is rare for such reasoning to be linked with the wealthy.
Ordinary individuals are recognized for their diligence in pursuit of wealth, a universal goal. The outcome, whether achievement of wealth or not, is secondary. But the prominent fact is their unwavering effort towards the goal of wealth accumulation. The pursuit of wealth is often driven by the desire to gain a respectable social standing. Fame is deemed highly desirable, despite the understanding that one cannot outlive their lifespan allotment. Individuals often endeavour to accumulate wealth far exceeding what they need for their lifetime, including the portion that will be inherited by others.
The prevailing trend is to prioritize one’s ego over other people’s concerns. Celebrating other people’s failures is often celebrated, as elevating one’s own status. The ultimate goal is always to outperform peers. Global challenges are deemed insurmountable, yet they can be addressed by shifting away from self-centred philosophies. Pride, as an esteemed condition, is commonly at the root of such problems. As humanity strays further from the teachings of Jesus, livingness becomes increasingly entangled in a myriad of global issues.
Individuals who challenge the status quo are often deemed unacceptable, as they disrupt the perceived superiority of those considered successful. A particularly troubling trend is the tendency to corrupt the clergy, traditionally seen as guardians of morality. Church leaders have increasingly been at the forefront of marginalizing certain societal groups while favouring others. Those with influential connections are regarded as fortunate and, consequently, more insightful than those lacking such connections. Despite widespread condemnation, corruption remains rampant globally. Identifying the root cause of human challenges is not a complex task.
There are numerous activities a person can engage in during their waking hours, distinct from time spent drinking or socializing. Introversion involves self-benefiting over broader societal considerations. Politics, a globally influential and often reviled activity, involves politicians who are frequently seen as deceitful yet are entrusted with matters critical to human welfare. Christians, in particular, tend to avoid politics, often choosing to back politicians despite their controversial actions. Nevertheless, all answers to societal problems are found in politics.
Many Christians firmly believe that prayer holds the solution to societal issues. However, it is undeniable that political decisions have significant impacts, either improving or worsening the general populace’s well-being. Individuals may use religion as a shield to avoid addressing critical human concerns. Yet, posing the right questions about solving humanity’s problems can easily reveal the true nature of such individuals. By default, introversion is the real problem.
Mutual love involves addressing global ignorance. It is not justifiable to disdain the ignorant without understanding the factors that contribute to their state. A person with a clear conscience cannot find solace in self-aggrandizement amidst the stark poverty surrounding them. Such an individual feels uneasy travelling in luxurious vehicles when encountering an impoverished community. As long as physically alive, a virtuous person is continually engaged with the question of what they can do for those who lack basic necessities.
While not widely recognized, communication is the most effective means of spreading knowledge. As people actively share progressive information, the world is transformed for the better. Effective communication, driven by love, seeks to benefit others. The most impactful communication often occurs unconsciously, compelling the initial recipient to pass it on. Resisting this flow of information hinders progress and introduces harmful narratives. The worth of information is gauged by its capacity to better the world rather than to advance personal gain.
The gravest ailment afflicting humanity is the inability to share progressive information. This is evident in the opposing objectives of two philosophies: giving and receiving. Understanding their impact is as simple as discerning whether the goal is self-benefit or the betterment of humanity. Education’s purpose is to impart understanding, yet confusion has led it to be seen as a means for gaining advantage, rather than addressing ignorance in one’s environment.
Education should be a beacon to help those in the dark. According to Christian teachings, Jesus introduced a form of education that illuminates humanity. This replaced all prior educational systems. The twelve apostles were the first to grasp its importance. Its cost is beyond worldly possessions; it demands the surrender of one’s life and physical possessions. The challenge in achieving this lies in the pervasive ‘get’ philosophy, which promotes acquisition over altruism. In this view, giving is mistakenly seen as a loss, not a life-enriching investment.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5 NKJV).
The introduction to the Gospel of John reveals timeless truths. The veracity of information is confirmed by its traceability to the source. The term ‘word’ denotes both written and spoken communication, which imparts knowledge previously unknown. Information is metaphorically likened to light, illuminating the path in otherwise perilous unknowns. Understandably, humanity approaches new information with scepticism, given the prevalence of falsehoods in today’s world. Nevertheless, certain individuals have the natural capacity to firmly discern truth.
Truthful information is believed to come from God, while deceptions are often linked to Satan. If the veracity of information hinges on the trustworthiness of its source, then Jesus is deemed the ultimate hope for which humanity longs. Just as Satan deceived Eve and Adam regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, humanity remains susceptible to distorted Biblical information. This can be viewed in two ways: firstly, recognizing that God communicates truth through humans; and secondly, acknowledging that Satan also uses humans to spread his lies.
It can be inferred that a prevalent pitfall for humanity is the categorization of individuals. Some are widely regarded as trustworthy in all their utterances, while others, marred by their unethical life circumstances, are often dismissed. The fundamental mistake lies in upholding or condemning another person’s information based on their previous record. God may choose a known criminal to relay crucial information, just as Satan might employ a highly esteemed person to disseminate deceitful information. Humans are often trapped by their inability to recognize that truths and falsehoods are inherently evident, regardless of any worldly association.
The fundamental and immutable truth is that humans, bearing the aspect of God’s image, cannot be exalted or condemned based on human judgment. No individual can condemn another, regardless of the severity of the sin, without facing God’s judgment. This is reflected in the Lord’s Prayer, which includes a clause about forgiving one’s adversaries as a condition for receiving forgiveness. It is impossible for a truthful person to overlook God’s truth, provided that all people in this world are treated equitably.
The truth remains the truth, irrespective of the speaker, just as falsehoods remain lies, no matter who voices them. Truth is measured by its consistency with the teachings of Jesus, who likened those who follow His words to a person building on a firm foundation. Respect for humanity should be universal and non-discriminatory. The absence of knowledge in a person does not justify disdain, just as the possession of knowledge should not guarantee admiration. Jesus and His disciples never sought respect from their students.
As the ultimate bearer of truth, Jesus’ teachings should be followed, regardless of the human intermediary. Expressing disagreement with someone considered a conduit to divine wisdom can be deeply unsettling. However, for those who value truth above everything, nothing hinders the pursuit of Jesus’ veracious teachings. Although there may be apparent advantages to demonstrating loyalty to one’s leaders, such fidelity is misplaced when contrasted with Jesus’ doctrines, which surpass mundane affairs. Christianity is an individual pursuit, akin to the patriarch Abraham, whose deeds exemplified the personal journey of Christians.
In the essence of true Christianity, it is held that truthful individuals cannot be disheartened by anyone. While some may feel disheartened by the actions of those in authority, those who evaluate information through the lens of Jesus’ teachings do not linger on the pronouncements of so-called authorities. They may avoid confrontations with authority figures unless given a chance to voice their views, yet they uphold Jesus as their benchmark. This stance can be challenging, as it may result in being wrongly labelled as rebellious, despite lacking any such intent. The story of Abraham exemplifies a man who persistently encountered challenges in his devotion to God, which reflects the enduring relevance of Christianity.
The enduring truth is that Christianity is not a casual endeavour. It involves steadfastly upholding one’s beliefs, yet remaining open to correction if proven incorrect. It requires a dedication to continually concentrate on the teachings of Jesus, unwaveringly, while also taking into account the perspectives of others. The readiness to follow God consistently must stem from a deep personal conviction, akin to Abraham’s response to his divine calling and his submission to God. This steadfastness may be why Paul referred to Christians as the descendants of Abraham, whose faith suggests a tenacious character of all time.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV).
The purpose of Christians is to spread truthful information in a world starved of knowledge. Accepting Jesus as the standard of truth should be without hesitation. Demonstrating mutual love means placing Christ’s love before one’s own. If Christians worldwide adopt this practice, the gospel’s proliferation will be unstoppable. The world would see a positive transformation, especially through the power of social media. It’s essential to recognize that truthfulness should only be associated with Jesus, whose sacrifice is acknowledged globally. The sources of information about Jesus should not be constrained by discrediting or favouring certain individuals. The voice used by Jesus to speak cannot be confined to any one person or group. All things must be measured against the teachings of Jesus.
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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