Even at His tender age of twelve, Jesus reminded His parents to be aware of Him having been up to do His Father’s business (Luke 2:42-49). Jesus Christ’s story, reveals what it means to apply the principle of existence. It takes only a true Christian to apply Godly principle, when fulfilling the purpose of one’s existence.
All created species reflect the actual behavior under which they were created. It is impossible for any species—other than human beings—to ever pretend to be what it was not created to be. For instance, it is impossible for a crocodile to behave like a cow. Or for a chicken to behave like fish.
When God created those respective species, He designed them to behave according to their specific design. Only the human beings, possess the conscience with the capacity to understand the value of creation. Humans have the ability to even pretend to be something else, other than their own original design.
A human being can bark like a dog, or quake like a duck. A human being can initiate the behavior of any of those created species, without manipulation. Only the human beings can manipulate other created species. But humans can also voluntarily submit to being manipulated by other created species.
Dogs can be manipulated to do some tricks, as designed by the dog-trainer, whether for the dog’s benefit or the trainer’s benefit. But the dog, being trained, cannot be conscious of the training purpose. Humans were granted dominion over everything created (Genesis 1:28).
Without understanding their individual specific design and capabilities, humans will continue to fumble in ignorance. Throughout the ages, humanity has remained with the unanswered questions—leading to their dying in misery. However, the story would be different, if the following four questions—of utmost importance to living humans—were answered adequately:
- Why was I born?
- What is the purpose of my existence on this planet?
- How should I relate with other fellow human beings?
- How should I relate with the other created species?
It is not difficult to find answers to these questions, as Jesus is the way the truth and the life. His recorded story, provides answers to the above-listed questions. One can actually, eliminate all survival challenges—which are unnecessary—when able to analytically decipher everything Jesus said.
Let us now tackle the first question. Why were you born? This question can only be answered, after carefully answering the question: Why was Jesus born? Jesus calls us His brothers, for whom He died on the cross. So, the purpose of Jesus Christ’s birth was, clearly, to save humanity.
The birth of Jesus was not limited to Mary, at Bethlehem of Judea. Jesus was fully conscious of Him being God’s Son. He fully recognized the significance of being in God’s image. Jesus did not waste time focusing on his physical nature.
Each individual human being is expected to behave like Jesus. The starting point is recognizing that, though born of a women, like Jesus, the person’s origin is of God. Having been created in God’s image, the person is not of earthly origin. That person’s life-style model is patterned after Jesus.
The only reason for being born is to serve the one who caused the person to exist. That reason cannot come from a person’s parents, just as Joseph and Mary could not have designed Jesus to become the Savior of humanity. Jesus was not told by anyone, other than God, that He was the Christ.
Each individual should not expect anyone to tell him/her the reason why he/she was born, other than God. The second question addresses the purpose for the person’s existence. What is the purpose of my existence on this planet?
Jesus bears the authority to allocate purposes for which humanity can behave in this life. Each human has got his/her purpose of existence, according to God’s design. It could be true that one may be expected to carry the cross, similar to that of Jesus. But that cross was designed for the person concerned:
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:27-30) (KJV).
Each of us was created with respective specific purpose and design. But, of our own we cannot do as much as God designed us to be. Interestingly, some people strive to copy other people’s lifestyles, whom they view as leading admirable lives. They live other people’s lives, rather than living their own lives. Of course, all this reveals the deficiency of knowledge among ordinary humanity.
Such people have passion to impress other people, rather than express what they, themselves, were created to be. Our educational system is the one that dramatically portrays the existence of this warped syndrome. Graduating with a higher college certificate, is the aim, rather than fulfilling the purpose of one’s existence.
Zimbabwe, is probably credited with the greatest number of graduates, than any other country of its size, in Africa? But the question that can never be adequately answered is: Where are those graduates, as the entire country burns, in foolishness and poverty? Even their trainers appear as not ashamed of what is churned out of their Universities—being useless garbage.
An average person blames the politicians, for such clumsy realities. But, if education was designed to solve problems—as to produce good leadership in society—why should politicians be an exception? Why should the politicians not be viewed as being the product of our education system?
The caliber of our politicians reflects what is churned out of our universities. Apparently, most graduates seek to impress, more than seeking to add value to the community? That is exactly what portrays our modern-day politicians, who seem to only value being addressed as Honorables, in parliament. These are people who do not know the purpose for which they were born.
The assumption is that the purpose for being born is to live comfortably, as compared to those in their surroundings. Although having been educated, they remain completely oblivious of the opposite formula—describing the true purpose for which a human being was created.
This brings us to the third question: How should one relate with other fellow humans? Jesus simplified this reality. Christianity, in its present format has successfully complicated what, otherwise, should have adequately answered this great question. This is as was revealed by Jesus on His Sermon on the Mount:
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12) (KJV).
Of course, nothing is complicated with this passage of Scripture—appearing as ignoring all religious necessities. Nothing else is intended, except doing unto others as one would like them do unto him. In other words, one can pick up the reality in ensuring that the other person lives comfortably. This is as much as the person concerned also desires to live comfortably.
Thinking deeply is unnecessary, in trying to apply this philosophy. Having opened up to Jesus, that person simply enjoys doing what is spiritually facilitated by Jesus. The person is happy, only as other people are glad that he lives. Other people may seek to worship him/her, because of the valuable benefits emanating from him/her. But the person remains focused, as knowing exactly, the purpose of his/her creation, is to serve humanity, like Jesus.
The simplicity of this philosophy, can actually be applied at a village level—as model for other regions—before spreading it across the entire world. This does not need effort, except allowing Jesus to do His will in one’s life. But the magnitude of the effects of that person’s existence can, actually, be mind-boggling.
We have good-hearted people around the world. Their major obstacle is inability to access proper knowledge. As long as the current educational system promotes self-centered ambitions—based on how graduates compare with others—the status quo remains. Student are encouraged to study very hard, in order to become better than others.
The wrong thing about our current educational system is simply that it seeks to make the person proud. Graduates from our Universities are encouraged to become better than other people, instead of being valuable. They are not encouraged to make other people better. But they get celebrated, only for having become better than their fellows, in society.
While, obviously, terribly skewed and weird, the self-centered mind-set is globally regarded as normal. Some two thousand years ago Jesus revealed the only philosophy that eliminates all humanity’s survival challenges. But this is, exactly, what, caused His detractors to murder Him.
What is commonly adopted as advancing Christianity is, actually, a counterfeit of true Christianity. The, actual, incorporeal idea that was advanced by Jesus is hard to sell to corporeal humans. This brings us to the fourth and final question comprising principles that bear significance and reality: How should I relate with the other created species?
How did our standard model, Jesus, relate to the other created species? Apparently, Jesus did not provide any direct teaching on how to relate with other created species. However, Jesus appeared as using every other created species, in terms of how it would benefit humanity. Jesus cursed a fig tree, for not bearing fruit (Matthew 21:19).
Such cursing was parabolically designed to teach His disciples to understand the consequences of not bearing fruit. Simon Peter and His brother Andrew, were converted after Jesus performed a miracle of a big catch of fish. Obviously, Jesus did not put much value to the fish, as much as He appeared as putting value on those He was calling into His ministry.
Jesus used a whip to drive out the oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money and overthrew the tables (John 2:14-15). Here Jesus revealed that all those things were not important, including the actual money—considered necessary in advancing His ministry. Jesus focused only on humans—but, also displaying that he had power over those material things.
Jesus could pacify the raging sea (Matthew 8:23-27). His miracles also included healing aspects and raising people from the dead. Such miraculous activities were necessary for the skeptical Jews. But Jesus never caused the appearance of the previously unknown people to just appear—similarly to how He caused the appearance of other created species.
He caused the miraculous existence of the multitudes of fish and bread to feed the multitudes of hungry people (John 6). All this, simply, showed His superiority over created things. In other words, Jesus was also displaying the fact that humanity had dominion over everything created, other than human beings (Genesis 1:28).
Apparently, it is not necessary to assume being good when showing zeal, appearing as being a lover of animal kingdom. The most important behavior is to look to Jesus as model—when desiring to know how to relate with other species. In Africa, most blacks view the whites—from rich nations—as more concerned about other created species, rather than the poverty-stricken Africans.
Nevertheless, this should not be construed as subscribing to the apparent greed—causing the ruthless slaughter of the Black rhino, for instance. The informed humans should seek to address causes, rather than effects. What is it that causes people to behave like animals, instead of being humane? The cause is in inability to know the purpose of one’s existence.
The focus should be on helping those considered poor Africans to discover the purpose for their being created. As soon as such reasons are discovered, it becomes impossible to improperly handle such other created species. This is why Jesus said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all this things shall be added onto you?” (Matthew 6:33)
It is a question of addressing priority—helping humanity to discover what is more important over everything else. Everything starts from recognizing the purpose for which humanity was created—-Jesus being the only model. Humanity spend a lot of energy, trying to impress other fellow human beings, instead of expressing the purpose for their having been created.
They are blind—as unable to clearly see what was crafted to be the real purpose for existence. The material things we see with our physical eyes are not important. The things we eat, in order to survive are important, only as means towards achieving the abstract objectives—being reason for one’s existence.
The material possessions that we claim title to, are, actually, not our own, let alone, not being that important—as assumed to be. Humans die, living behind most of those things considered important. Therefore, nothing specifically belongs to us, as human beings. But, after discovering our true purpose of being created—as God’s own Children—everything belongs to us.
As God’s children, all creation belongs to humanity. This statement is a matter of principle and reality—easily understood by those taking Christianity seriously. It is therefore necessary to significantly appreciate being created in God’s image, in order to behave responsibly. This is, exactly, what enhances the betterment of humanity. Nothing else is that important in this life.
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