Christianity offers solutions to numerous social issues and demands more profound reflection than other faiths. Its commitment to forging a deep bond with the divine is unparalleled. To be firmly established in the Christian faith means to build a solid spiritual base, fostered through cultivating a profound connection with God and harmonizing one’s deeds with those convictions. An unwavering dedication to the teachings of Jesus and the pursuit of strength and direction epitomize being anchored in faith.
Cultivating a relationship with the Creator is seen as a means to overcome the fear of death. Humans often harbour a fear of death, largely due to their attachment to the physical form. Knowledge plays a vital role in forming a robust bond with the Creator. Although numerous factors are involved in developing a steadfast relationship with the divine, focusing on three key elements is often sufficient. The first is the willingness to learn, which lays the groundwork for one’s spiritual foundation.
Understanding oneself is the starting point; without this knowledge, knowing God remains elusive, resulting in a sense of alienation. Acknowledging one’s divine origin helps in recognizing unity with God, who created humans in His image. A complete understanding of oneself leads to grasping the deep significance of being made in God’s likeness. This self-awareness allows for introspection before evaluating others. This concept forms the cornerstone of Christianity as depicted in the Book of Matthew.
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20 NKJV).
This is the sole scriptural reference that Jesus highlighted as defining Christianity. He proclaimed it as the foundation of the Christian Church. Those recognizing themselves as God’s children would no longer belong to this world. The term “Church” originates from the Greek word “Ekklesia,” which means “called-out-ones.” This suggests that those becoming members of that Church are summoned out of this world to become God’s children. This is a transformation completed upon being sealed by the Holy Spirit, as clarified in Romans 8:8-9.
From birth, we are consciously aware of our humanity. Our upbringing, shaped by our parents, dictates our adherence to familial customs. Anything deviating from the identity established by our physical parents may seem foreign. Yet, upon realizing our identity as children of God, it becomes essential to forsake the traditional customs enforced by our physical parents and surroundings. This involves severing ties with our physical parents and establishing a connection with our Spiritual Father. The root of certain failures in Christianity can be attributed to misconceptions about the importance of severing familial ties.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?” (Luke 14:26-30 NKJV).
The concept of severing familial bonds is not to be taken lightly. Jesus was aware of the profound difficulty one might face when choosing to forsake these ties to become a child of God. He advised the person to carefully consider the costs before committing to follow Him. Renouncing familial bonds does not mean disrespecting one’s biological parents, but rather, it means not considering them part of one’s relationship with the Spiritual Father. This transforms an individual into a new being who has embraced a new culture, necessitating the abandonment of all former cultural ties. They resolve to remain steadfast in their new identity. This kind of self identity should be understood as being the opposite of self-agrandizement, but allowing God to take over.
Every individual, in their physical existence, is a blend of the spiritual and the physical. This combination facilitates significant relationships with others. However, pain is unavoidable when these bonds are severed. A novice in faith might face persecution due to a disconnection from their peers. In the physical realm, family members shape identities that align with the person. They confer a status that reflects the person’s social position. When someone departs from this established state without consent, it can cause unease and worry that makes them feel insecure.
Communication can be used to alleviate friction, yet effective dialogue between the spiritual and physical realms remains elusive. What is real to the spiritual may be unreal to the physical, and the reverse is also true. Embracing this new identity requires adherence to Jesus’ teachings and an understanding of the associated costs. Consequently, any persecution that follows should be viewed as an essential part of the learning process rather than something to yield to. While the physical acquaintances might not understand, the spiritual person understands them.
The second principle is that of prayer, which serves as a spiritual communion with God. Recognizing that newcomers to the faith might feel timid, which can disrupt their connection with God, is crucial. The solution lies in fostering communication with the Father. Jesus provided a template for prayer to help people reach out to the Father, highlighting the need to align with God’s will on Earth as in Heaven. Prayer serves as a conduit for spiritual dialogue, and during prayer, one should concentrate on reflecting their true self rather than envisioning various forms of the Divine.
An individual’s true self can initially be recognized through meditation on being created in God’s image. By disconnecting from familial ties, one may see themselves as a reflection of God, embodied through Christ. Acknowledging their sinfulness, they are conscious of Jesus’ role in removing the burden of sin. Upholding the mandate for God’s will to be enacted on Earth as in Heaven reduces earthly control, permitting divine will to dominate.
Engaging with the Bible is a crucial aspect of communication with God. It should be recalled that Jesus overcame Satan by citing Scripture; illustrating that understanding the Scriptures can thwart Satan’s ploys. Memorizing the Scriptures may not be a prerequisite, though it may be effective for some individuals. I can only offer insights into what has been effective for me, hoping others may find similar benefits. However, I suppose God communicates with people differently.
I address complex questions through Scripture. My foundational beliefs are: first, I was created in God’s image, which means there is a part of me that reflects God’s nature. The second is the account of sin in the Garden of Eden, illustrating how humanity became estranged from God. I understand good and evil as inherent parts of me, often in conflict with the Creator. Recognizing Jesus as our redeemer, I embrace the counsel of James: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).
My fundamental belief is that God is not confined to the heavens but resides within my conscience. Being created in God’s likeness, I must confront my conscience truthfully, independent of external influences, to discern what is right. While I may gain knowledge from others, I trust my own conscience, recognizing myself as a child of God. This conviction allows me to discern truth from falsehood with ease when assessing information. Therefore, my second element is to avoid categorising people.
From this perspective, I remain receptive to anyone who claims to speak on behalf of God. I don’t rely on a person’s credentials as a measure. I scrutinize everything said by those who profess to be God’s servants. I don’t idolize such individuals; instead, I weigh their words against the teachings of Jesus. I embrace what aligns with the Bible and reject what does not. In instances of uncertainty, where Scriptural backing is absent, I readily seek answers to complex questions, particularly those related to science.
I consider actions that would benefit the majority, especially in terms of survival. I find God within the depths of my conscience, not through external standards. The Book of Proverbs is particularly useful for deriving axiomatic principles to address life’s conflicts, including examining natural laws. For example, I have applied the concepts of positive and negative electrical charges to comprehend the impact of sinfulness.
Embracing these doctrinal tenets, I maintain a unique rapport with people at large. I view myself as unburdened, harbouring no resentment towards anyone. To me, every individual is a dear friend, irrespective of any negative attitudes they may hold against me. I am prepared to assume complete accountability for anyone who might feel slighted by my actions. Nevertheless, there are instances when I may react strongly to statements I deem illogical, yet I refrain from considering the speaker an adversary.
Being conscious that true Christianity often faces resistance in this flawed world, I have prepared myself for the worst while hoping for the best. Witnessing human rights defenders being imprisoned in a country with rampant lawlessness, such as Zimbabwe, is disheartening. I am mindful that not everyone can be safe in such conditions. Although I am grateful to have been spared from victimization, I remain vigilant of the potential risks.
Keeping up with the latest advancements in the rapidly evolving information technology sector is a key principle of mine. I align spiritually with global intellectuals. Through trend analysis and the application of past experiences, I forecast future developments. Despite living in poverty, I have always managed to use available resources efficiently. Running a website requires funding, which has fortunately always been forthcoming, enabling me to, at least, maintain my constant writing. I see God’s involvement in supporting this work. The third, but not least, is a commitment to work for God.
A Child of God is conscious of His Father’s mission. For one who embraces the role of a Son of God, no other endeavour takes precedence over performing God’s work. A devout Christian harbours no excuses for not engaging in God’s work. This means not merely participating as an obligation but being fervently involved as a fundamental aspect of life. Writing is my passion, and similarly, Christians are each entrusted with duties they must earnestly fulfil.
Engaging diligently in God’s work can protect one from succumbing to various temptations and feelings of redundancy. The adage “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop” resonates with those who are devoted to God’s work. Without such engagement, one may become entangled in worldly activities, even as a Christian. This concern prompted Jesus to share a parable, illustrating the repercussions for Christians who neglect their divine responsibilities. For the enlightened followers of Jesus, no other work holds greater significance.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. Afterwards, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:!-13 NKJV).
The message of Jesus was not just about anticipating His return; it was about involvement in His mission. This mission is more than mere passive waiting; it involves active engagement in God’s work. If one believes God dwells within them yet obstructs God’s work in their life, they are at odds with the core principles of Christianity. Hence, Paul proclaimed, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 3:20). Merely emulating the actions of others to meet God’s expectations may fall short. Each individual is endowed with a unique talent to execute, distinct from the talents of others. This is why being grounded in faith is being involved in God’s work, which is another element of being grounded in faith.
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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