Regardless of how a structure may be embellished to enhance its visual appeal, such endeavours would ultimately be regarded as a misallocation of energy. Scientifically, there is no need for debate in asserting that anything constructed on a flawed foundation cannot be sustainable. We reside in a world with an illusory promise of a bright future. However, this stands in stark contrast to the development of an impressive yet catastrophic nuclear arsenal that poses an unprecedented threat to all human life. Common sense appears to be overlooked as the sole means by which human survival should be ensured.
The most significant disappointment is apparent within Christianity, which exhibits profound flaws in conveying a distorted interpretation of the Bible’s teachings on the gospel. The words of Jesus are largely overlooked, while the most troubling trend since His departure has been the commercialization of the gospel. Marred by denominationalism and divisions, Christianity has devolved into a farce, rather than being viewed as a serious representation of the gospel. If one were to pose the question of what the gospel encompasses to an average individual, the response would likely focus on the promise of catering to physical needs.
The gospel advances the narrative of Jesus, who arrived with a new foundation, rejecting what is presently deemed authentic. The teachings of Jesus emphasize the Spirit over the physical, whose principle contrasts with all that is tangible. Jesus demonstrated that attaining spiritual benefits necessitates physical sacrifice. Jesus offered on the cross, the physical flesh that those in this world cherish, to demonstrate its redeemability. Reluctant to relinquish what they deem valuable, those who profess to follow Him praise Him for enhancing their imperfect physical condition.
A closer examination of the factors that lead to humanity’s disconnection from Christ reveals that it is not solely the physical body. Most individuals are aware of the fallibility of their physical form. They understand that, despite living in the present, death is inevitable. This reality is readily comprehensible. The booming funeral insurance industry indicates that the majority of people acknowledge the eventual end of the physical body. The primary concern often revolves around what transpires following an individual’s physical demise. It is at this juncture that the essence of human deception becomes evident, as death, although dreaded, seems more significant than life itself.
The well-funded funeral policies exemplify the priority given to the physical body over the spiritual body. That which those in this world fear most would ultimately have defeated them. The living are aware that they will die someday, but what about those who have died? The Preacher aptly articulated this condition: “For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 NKJV). This remains true for those esteemed individuals who significantly contributed to the twentieth century, some of whose contributions have become extinct in our modern civilization.
The aspects of modern civilization that are currently cherished are rapidly deteriorating, particularly within the computer technology sector. The stark reality is that we inhabit a world akin to quicksand, where instability renders all tangible elements unsustainable. This reaffirms the enduring truth that nothing can endure without a solid foundation. It places a collective responsibility upon all of humanity, posing a critical question about our existence. Can humans be compared to mindless animals in this world? Or should humans be regarded as having the necessary solutions to rescue this planet?
The answer is unequivocally “Yes” when reflecting on the responsibilities assigned to humanity, created in the image of God. Humans possess the ability to restore order on the planet, yet this cannot occur through fraudulent climate change conferences. Achieving this requires a realistic examination of humanity’s origins. The unproductiveness of climate change conferences stems from the facade exhibited by attendees who feign identities that do not represent their true selves. We exist in a world where false identities are perceived as truth, while genuine identities are misrepresented as falsehoods.
On a personal note, it is essential to re-examine oneself to determine whether one is realistically behaving per their purpose in this life. As individuals born into this world, there is a tendency to align with prevailing norms within the environment. Consequently, people often develop what is deemed acceptable in their surroundings, rather than embracing their true identity. The key to every aspect lies within the pivotal Scripture, where Jesus revealed the identity of humanity, a truth that had remained unrecognized since the dawn of human civilization. The disciples should be regarded as the most privileged individuals ever acknowledged to have existed, based on their attachment to Jesus.
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 16:13-16NKJV).
The greatest misdirection lies in the assumption that we are merely reflections of our earthly fathers. All humans were created in the image of God, which positions humanity in a state where survival is not a concern. A false identity leads an individual to a misguided path regarding survival. Following this accurate understanding of humanity, Jesus proclaimed His intention to establish His Church. For one who has recognized their identity as a child of God, it is inconceivable to be affected by death. Since the time had not yet come, Jesus instructed His disciples not to disclose that He was the Christ.
At the moment of realizing one’s identity as a Child of God, an individual discovers the true purpose for which he or she was created. God serves as the guide, enabling the individual to pursue what resonates with him or her. Currently, this is not the case, as each person conforms to the expected norms of his or her community. However, God anticipates that individuals align with God’s expectations as their Creator. Consider the transformation of the world if all humans were made aware of this profound reality; it would undoubtedly lead to a significant change, contrasting sharply with the present state.
Nevertheless, while this concept holds truth, it remains inapplicable to the world in its current form. Therefore, Jesus instructed His disciples to refrain from revealing that He was the Christ. He understood that declaring this reality before the appropriate time would create pandemonium. It unsettles a world that is in confusion while assuming it is perfectly in order. The act of appearing and revealing that He was the Christ is what generated the pandemonium that ultimately led to His crucifixion. There would have been no issue had Jesus remained unidentified. The increase in the number of God’s children ultimately results in the establishment of order in this world.
It is essential to establish the factors that contribute to the difficulty humans experience in understanding their identity as God’s children. Humans are not related to the products of this world. A child born into this world confronts a multitude of obstacles. Under parental care, the child must navigate an array of dos and don’ts, many of which may be deemed unnecessary. However, the most significant challenge is often the fear of death. Conformity to societal norms suggests a guarantee of extended survival, despite the reality that death is an inevitable phenomenon.
Humans inevitably confront mortality, regardless of their age, and this fundamental reality cannot be altered. Accumulated wealth does not ensure longer survival. Jesus exemplified the potential for survival, a notion that is not problematic for those created in the image of God. Rather, for many individuals, doubt supplants belief in this reality, primarily arising from a fear of death. People often pursue ideas that lead to their demise, mistakenly believing they will eventually lead them toward survival. This transient comfort obscures one’s ability to contemplate and assess the truthful information that Jesus conveyed.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV).
Paul is engaging with individuals having uncovered the true essence of humanity. These individuals no longer attribute significance to transient material possessions. They have come to realize that life is fundamentally spiritual rather than physical. The fear of death has been a pervasive concern for humanity since the time of Adam. Nevertheless, Jesus has alleviated that fear, rendering the valuation of material objects irrational for them. The creator of the material universe should be regarded with greater trust than any evidence suggesting the material worth.
The existing problems in this world stem from the conflation of spiritual concepts with the physical. The two were never intended to be merged. Humans are spiritual beings and should not be associated with the physical realm. Paul articulated this clearly: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” There is no clearer way to express this. The most coherent reasoning involves considering God’s decision to send His only begotten Son on a mission to rescue a world on a trajectory toward demise.
If God appears unconcerned about the precious mineral resources of this world, why are people so obsessed with them? How much more foolish can an individual be when surrendering his or her soul to preserve gold and other precious minerals? When common sense prevails, nothing can be valued as greater than life itself. Jesus sacrificed His physical life for humanity, excluding anything deemed precious in this world. There exists no wisdom that can surpass the understanding of the profound value of spiritual life.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46 NKJV).
The gospel is proclaimed, but not to include everyone. Nevertheless, it is for those to whom the message is specifically directed. Jesus was unequivocal in His teachings regarding the necessity of spreading the gospel worldwide, yet only a select few responded positively. He serves as the cornerstone of the new civilization’s formation. Only these few recognize the significance of humanity originating from a realm distinct from the material universe. The challenge lies in that God’s calling often does not include attraction to it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:47-52NKJV).
The words of Jesus continue to hold truth today as they did in the past. A profound question remains, one that may only be answered by those directly affected: Why would a loving God categorize certain individuals, who are also created in God’s image, as chaff to be cast into the fiery furnace? Despite our humanity, we often find ourselves without answers, resorting to speculation that God values substance over pretence. This notion is intertwined with the good news that Jesus came to illustrate the insignificance of the physical body in service to the spirit. God values what is genuine rather than what is untrustworthy, even when individuals possess what the world considers valuable.
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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