A sinful individual who claims to be on the Lord’s side is either deluded or shrouded in pretence. One cannot sustain a false trajectory when faced with the truth. An entity cannot endure where truth is mingled with falsehood. God informed Moses that physical humans cannot see God and live (Exodus 33:20). God is synonymous with the truth, which cannot coexist with falsehood. An individual cannot represent the truth and anticipate universal acceptance; such an expectation is impossible. This affirms the notion that light and darkness cannot exist simultaneously.
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for 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.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank (Acts 9:1-9 NKJV).
The described phenomenon marks a pivotal transformation in Saul, who was later known as Paul. He turned into the antithesis of Saul who had previously threatened and sought the lives of the disciples. On that transformative day, the violent Saul ceased to exist, allowing the new Paul to emerge as a vessel for God. This underscores the notion that such polar opposites cannot coexist without conflict. Following the event in Damascus, Paul’s life took a path opposed to his former beliefs. He was prepared to sacrifice his life for the ideals he had vehemently resisted. This shift is comprehensible when considering the spiritual dynamics at play with these contrasting identities. The ability to change is enabled by the willingness to appreciate the opposing views.
Before his conversion, Paul’s life starkly contradicted Christian principles. However, this does not distinguish him from those who pretend to follow Christianity while actively subverting it. The most perilous foe is one who disguises themselves as a lamb but is actually a leopard. Such deceitful predators are plentiful and seem to have mastered the art of capturing their prey by camouflaging themselves within it. Jesus warned His disciples about such people, a caution that remains exceedingly relevant today.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits, you will know them. 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 7:14-17 NKJV).
Understanding the Scripture above may not be possible without first comprehending what the term ‘fruit’ entails. It is essential to dispel the notion that the ability to heal the sick and perform wonders is what Jesus referred to as fruits. Moreover, Jesus did not equate experiencing physical blessings with spiritual blessings. A careful study of Jesus’ teachings reveals that He never advocated for material wealth. He advised those who wished to follow Him to renounce material possessions. However, false prophets may promote such ideas to attract followers. Nonetheless, the true meaning of ‘fruit’ is adequately described below:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV)
The passage does not suggest a focus on physical blessings as indicative of the fruit of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes this by stating, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” This walk in the Spirit contrasts with the assumption that physical blessings equate to spiritual fruitfulness. Paul’s counsel to avoid conceit, provocation, and envy centres on the consequences of pursuing physical blessings. Those engaged in all-night prayer vigils, often termed “prayer warriors,” might find themselves seeking what they enviously perceive others to possess, contrary to Paul’s guidance.
False prophets cannot be equated with Paul, whose resistance to the gospel was clearly defined. The faithful were informed of Saul’s reputation as an adversary of Jesus Christ’s ministry. In contrast, false prophets would masquerade as allies, despite being fundamentally opposed. This is akin to harbouring a Sengezo Tshabangu within your midst, mistakenly believing he shares your convictions. Often, those among the ranks clamouring for change may secretly concur with such adversaries. Naivety leads many to believe that sharing a uniform with the group signifies unity of purpose. This is how dangerous Christianity can be to those intending to follow Christ.
While false prophets may lead many astray, they cannot deceive Jesus. He proclaimed that He would unmistakably expose them at His second coming. “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” For those familiar with the teachings of Jesus, there is nothing unusual about that scenario. His genuine followers cannot be deceived because they discern the voice of Jesus. An important realization is that physical blessings are not indicative of Christianity. True believers know that what entices the physical being frequently differs from what attracts the spiritual being.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV).
The initial attribute of something without Christ’s approval is its popularity among the majority. If it is truly of God, it will not captivate the majority, whose primary concern is physical survival. Only the analytical few, whom Jesus described as willing to enter through the narrow gate, will accept it. The truth may only resonate with one or two individuals out of a thousand. However, such minuscule acceptance serves as a confirmation of its veracity. Promoting the teachings of Jesus is akin to offering death to humanity, preoccupied with physical survival. How many would choose such a proposition over what is considered to represent life, albeit falsely? This is the essence that should be grasped from Jesus’ teachings.
He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loosen” (John 1:20-27 NKJV).
The passage highlights a fascinating phenomenon: John’s interrogators were fixated on his personality. Aware of Elijah’s stature as a great prophet, they anticipated a similar miraculous manifestation in John’s proclamation of divine truth. Yet, John did not exude his physical persona. His response unveiled not his identity, but a voice declaring, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” This sharply delineates the distinction between the voice and the personality. The same voice that echoed in Isaiah’s era was now channelled through John. The pressing question remains, what does it mean, to “Make straight the way of the Lord?” Elsewhere, John declared the difference between Him and Jesus.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:11-12 NKJV).
Jesus declared that the gospel would reach the most distant parts of the Earth before His return. However, the extensive spread of the gospel does not guarantee that everyone who hears it will seek repentance. God is simply rectifying what He considers necessary. Those who are called face judgment and are expected to overcome their earthly conditions through the ministry of Jesus Christ.
The nuance is that the voice carries the impact, not the physical presence. Amidst their idolatrous circumstances, people often seek the physical manifestation over the principle itself. Yet, the transition from the material to the spiritual is profoundly significant in the realm of Jesus’ teachings. Christianity has evolved beyond being perceived as just an unconventional religion. Given the advancements in information and technology, the necessity for physical travel to disseminate the gospel is now redundant.
It is natural for humans to question how God could reveal profound information, concealed since the first century, through those deemed insignificant. Such scepticism is expected but cannot discourage those who listen to His voice, rather than judge the messengers. The uniqueness of the message in this text is immaterial, whether others have emphasized it or not. What is crucial is whether the intended recipient has heard God’s voice. The name ‘Elijah’ alludes to the ancient prophet whose spirit may be embodied in individuals in our present time. The critical element is the voice of the Lord calling out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord’s coming.
This message is applicable and carries relevance, only to those willing to renounce their physical lives to accept Jesus’ calling. The rejection by those to whom the message is not relevant may have no effect at this point. Those being called now are being judged, similarly to how the rest of humanity would be judged on the Day of Judgment. Heeding God’s voice, at this time, implies the call for transformation that is similar to the one that affected Paul on his way to Damascus. Anyone associating that calling with physical blessings should think again.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:17-19 KJV).
The concept of judgment begins with Jesus. Despite not being implicated in the transgressions that affected Adam’s descendants, sacrificed His body on our behalf. This allowed a select few to follow His path and be granted positions of authority upon His return. However, this does not imply that such individuals inherently possess superior qualities compared to others. It is merely a matter of listening to and following His guidance, which calls for the renunciation of physical desires, akin to what Paul accomplished. This pursuit is unattainable for those valuing their physical existence over their spiritual well-being.
The discernment process involves weighing the spiritual state against physical existence. Those who prioritize preserving the physical body may risk compromising their spiritual state. Conversely, sacrificing the physical body can, in turn, preserve the spiritual state. The Apostle Paul effectively described the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh as a battle against our sinful nature. To fully embrace Christianity, one must renounce worldly desires to cultivate a more profound spiritual life.
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:16-21 NKJV).
The given interpretation holds significance only for those who discern the voice of God. For others, it may hold no meaning. Even if some commit it to memory, it might not strike a chord with them. An individual may not exemplify all the outlined attributes, but rather just a select few. The physical state cannot be dismissed unless one has an experience similar to the profound transformation Paul underwent. Those who have perceived God’s voice feel obliged to respond to it, in contrast to those who try to effect change in others rather than experiencing personal metamorphosis.
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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