Being a follower is seemingly simple, offering comfort and assurance as the leader assumes responsibility. This reflects the inherent challenges of humanity. A nation may achieve prosperity through effective leadership, or face complex challenges due to the actions of a single leader. Apathy within a nation begins when all responsibility is placed upon a leader. Those made in God’s image should not be mere followers but should lead in areas where they are strong. All humans were created with unique leadership skills, intended to benefit others.
Leadership is valued by many, yet often without the willingness to embrace the accompanying responsibilities. Leading individuals who are themselves leaders in their respective fields presents a unique challenge. Dictators tend to maintain their power by keeping their subjects uninformed, as cognizant of the challenges they face when leading the informed. This stems from the belief that humans are not inherently designed to be leaders, but followers.
Apathy often arises from placing trust in leaders. A nation struggles with avoidable issues when it adopts an apathetic attitude after a leader fails to act justly. Conversely, people celebrate when a leader acts rightly. The history of the Jews and Israel, post-Solomon, is marked by fluctuating leadership qualities. The nation flourished under good leadership but faced difficulties under poor leadership. The question remains: should leaders or those led be blamed when things go wrong? The discussion extends beyond communities to encompass familial conditions.
Vigilant family members should not allow a father to engage in misconduct, whereas indifferent family members are likely to face serious problems. This highlights the significance of accountability within the family unit. When people confront challenges together, they can also reap the benefits of their collective wise choices. While it may appear to be obvious, the essential duty bestowed upon humanity is the responsibility for matters of survival.
The narrative of the Israelites encompasses an episode where they insisted on being governed by a human leader, contrary to God’s original plan. Their history is marked by tumultuous periods that could have been avoided under divine guidance. The Israelites’ flawed actions were meant to demonstrate the vanity of human existence without God. Understanding their motives for such behaviour is crucial before suggesting appropriate alternatives.
Humanity’s troubles are often linked to the incident in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is frequently identified as the root of human dilemmas. This arises because the tree is symbolic, representing humanity’s spiritual state. Knowledge, intended as a spiritual guide for humanity, becomes a source of bewilderment when associated with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This knowledge suggests a blend of good and evil, or a combination of positive and negative aspects.
Some may find it surprising that, despite the natural assumption that only good is attractive; evil also has its allure. However, the appeal of evil is fleeting. Negative things often have a stronger pull than the good, ultimately leading to ruin. Scientific analysis suggests that a well-educated individual tends to live longer than one who is not. This is because the allure of evil is often stronger than that of good, as subtly suggested by Jesus.
“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).
Knowledge is a highly valuable commodity, yet it is worth the pursuit of one’s life. It is paramount to understand that evil often appears more alluring than good. This is exemplified by the fact that, given the choice between two paths, individuals often gravitate towards the former. With the duality of good and evil embedded within, humanity finds itself mired in confusion, striving to survive by making correct choices. However, for someone without education, the right choice may seem unappealing, whereas the wrong one is temptingly attractive.
This pertains to everyday personal choices, encompassing the collective notion of deferring to a leader in decision-making, rather than exercising informed autonomy. The allure of following a leader stems from entrusting authority to those in leadership roles. Picture a hundred passengers on a bus, indifferently submitting to the guidance of an intoxicated driver; for them, confronting the driver seems discourteous, yet courtesy becomes irrelevant post-calamity.
Every human being is endowed with the responsibility of leadership. A responsible individual confronts a drunk driver to prevent them from driving under the influence. Such action could save the lives of the passengers and the driver. Conversely, shirking this responsibility endangers all on board. Yet, often it seems easier to passively sit back, hoping and praying for safety. In the event of a disaster, it is God who is blamed. This is a daily test of God’s mercy and grace by those who lack understanding.
In Christianity, followers often adopt a passive role, enabling pastors to act on their own whims. Many believers mistakenly think that God favours their indifferent attitude. They shift all accountability onto their pastor or bishop, while they engage in leisure activities. Yet, in reality, Christianity does not endorse a life of leisure. Judgment within a Christian community is collective, not focused on singling out leaders. The Book of Revelation delivers distinct messages to seven churches, not their leaders.
For effective communication, leadership structures are necessary, much like how each limb of the body excels in its function. Independence is not the norm. However, it becomes problematic when a leader is elevated to Christ’s stature, and their words are received as if Christ Himself spoke them. Vigilant congregants will challenge a pastor who introduces concepts that deviate from Jesus’ teachings. The Bible is filled with cautions against such church leaders (2 Corinthians 11:4). Paul urged the faithful to recognize their duty to protect the faith from deceivers. In Christianity, there is no room for complacency.
The Church comprises the called-out ones, being developed for the responsibilities at the right time. When Jesus advised leaving everything for those intending to be His followers, He was stressing a point suggesting adopting responsibility in one’s conduct. Having become inducted in a Church group entails a person to be aware of His responsibility to serve others, as though serving one’s masters. Jesus clarified this conduct to His disciples.
The Church consists of those who are called out, being prepared for their responsibilities at the appointed time. When Jesus counselled abandoning all to become His disciples, He emphasized the importance of adopting responsibility in one’s behaviour. Being part of a Church group means recognizing one’s duty to serve others as if serving one’s masters. Jesus made this principle clear to His disciples.
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28 NKJV).
To underscore the principles mentioned earlier, Jesus exemplified them by washing His disciples’ feet, in John 13. Although He was their leader and they recognized His authority, He showcased servitude as a standard for them to embrace. Each disciple was to practice the principle of service to ensure none remained idle. They were each tasked to serve according to their own capacity, in contrast to the world’s conventional traditions. In Christianity, the concept of ‘masters’ is not prevalent. Each carries the responsibility of service as if serving God.
“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:8-12 NKJV).
Such teachings cannot be acceptable to those of this world, stuck on the idea of there being promotion advantages. No platform is known to grant anyone teaching the adoption of this principle, except labelling them as outcasts. This notwithstanding that it is quoted from the same Scriptural references, in the gospel books. They acknowledge that the same Jesus is the authority, but they grant themselves the prerogative to accept or reject some of His teachings. Nothing appears amiss, as long as the majority endorses that concept.
It is as if it is fashionable to hear leaders proudly asserting that they are busy people with little time to do other things. They innocently declare such statements, assuming that God is impressed, yet God would be far from being impressed. Even during the physical grouping of the Israelites, Moses’ father-in-law had to advise Moses to desist from assuming that he was the only one gifted with every skill among God’s people.
“Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
“And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land (Exodus 18:19-27 NKJV).
The Israelites were physical, and thus God sent Moses’ father-in-law to aid him in grasping this concept. Conversely, the Church of God consists of individuals baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, indicating a direct connection with God. Each member is spiritually endowed with the duty to look after those connected to them. It is not acceptable for anyone to shirk their responsibilities within the church, as each person is accountable for their own duties. While it may seem appealing, the concept of followership can expose one to risks.
“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).
In the eyes of God, no one can claim superiority or inferiority over another. Each person is endowed with a responsibility towards others, bearing each other’s sins. Everyone is their brother’s keeper, without regard for gender or class as indicated in the Scripture. Similarly to how Abraham was accountable to God, every Christian holds direct accountability to God. This concept negates the notion of leadership, substituting it with the notion of each member exercising responsibility within the Church.
The system of checks and balances is upheld by the responsibility each member holds regarding the Church’s activities. This means not shying away from identifying and correcting incorrect teachings, thus protecting the group. The undeniable truth is that Jesus is the sole authority in God’s Church. If every member recognized this fact, it would prevent the infiltration of false information into the faith. Without this level of vigilance, the Church would face peril.
It requires tenacious individuals to stand up for the truth. Otherwise, it’s impossible to introduce such teachings to a system steeped in ideas that are prevalent in the secular world. Anything not endorsed by the secular world is deemed strange and peculiar and yet this is what Christianity entails. This is understandable, as the teachings of Christ were never intended for the majority in this world. Only the few who are expected to embrace these teachings are recognized by God.
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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