An atom is considered the smallest unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by protons and electrons. However, the true significance of this technology lies in its application to create what is now known as the most destructive formula in the construction of nuclear bombs. Large materials cannot be deemed effective in assessing the usefulness of such technology. This is why a lion can tactfully bring down a buffalo bull, regardless of the bull’s size. The geographical size or population of a nation does not always dictate its strength.
The contemporary global educational system has its roots in the ancient Greek educational model. Despite Greece being one of the smallest states in the world, its influence has been considerable. Another noteworthy fact is that the Messiah was regarded as having emerged from the humble city of Nazareth. This illustrates that anyone can be significantly impactful, irrespective of their country of origin. Therefore, there should be no reason for anyone to feel incapacitated.
Jesus did not possess the physical stature that would have qualified Him as the Messiah. He exemplifies the principle that each individual must apply to themselves. He recognized Himself as the Son of God, and His followers are expected to similarly identify themselves. Every individual possesses unique qualities, unknown to anyone except God, who created them. Discovering one’s identity as God’s child is what liberates a person from the bondage of this sinful world.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Romans 8:12-17 NKJV).
Each individual has the potential to discover their own worth and greatness but is often intimidated by those who seek to invalidate them. Surprisingly, even parents sometimes tend to invalidate their own children. Without having discovered their true identities, they assume the child is also unable to achieve what they failed to achieve. The environment is hostile due to the desire to dominate other fellow humans. However, for a person who has discovered their identity as a child of God, nothing should stop them from doing what God expects of them. Jesus mentioned projects that start small but whose influence increases to impact the vast majority of people
Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” (Matthew 13:33 NKJV).
There are many people whose lives are shaped by the influence of others. However, those who have discovered their identity as God’s children pursue their divine purpose. Like Jesus, they make a significant impact on their communities, influencing culture, positively. The power to influence others stems from confidence and determination to do what is right, without flinching, at all times. Burnout occurs when one focuses on the behaviour of others. Jesus left a legacy of fulfilling His mission without being swayed by others, focusing on what He knew to be right, as coming directly from His Father.
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).
The most fundamental aspect to note in the outlined discussion is that Jesus was not necessarily speaking about Himself. Like Adam, Jesus represented all of humanity. The viewpoint emanating from Adam is that we are the children of our fathers. Jesus was seen as such by ordinary humans. However, Jesus was also the seed of the imperishable, as the Son of the living God. After Peter accurately identified Jesus as the Son of God, Jesus’ remark indicates the unveiling of a previously hidden secret to ordinary humans. From the understanding of that principle, God’s children would emerge. As this was a profound secret, Jesus instructed His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.
The idea that humans are merely the offspring of their earthly fathers is flawed, as humans were created in God’s image. The progeny of rodents will always behave like their ancestors. If the first rodent were resurrected today, it would not differ much from current rodents. However, this is not true for humanity. If our ancestors were resurrected today, they would find it unimaginable to adapt to the current computer age. The evolutionary processes that have influenced humanity demonstrate that physical ancestors hold no significance.
A person who realizes the significance of being God’s child ceases to be influenced by secular behaviour in their environment. Through their connection with their Heavenly Father, they impose Godly standards wherever they may be. This is why Jesus provided a model prayer to petition their Father for His will to be done on earth as in Heaven. This prayer encourages the petitioner to represent God on Earth. God’s children are unique, as the true representatives of God on Earth, just as Jesus was.
The will of God prevails when facilitated by His children in the physical universe. When Jesus was on Earth, He focused solely on fulfilling God’s will. Any person who discovers being God’s child behaves similarly. However, God’s will is not readily acceptable to those of this world. Jesus was killed specifically because He sought to fulfil His Father’s will. Anyone seeking to fulfil God’s will, on Earth, can expect to be treated similarly. Anyone killed doing the will of God is crowned with the glory of Jesus.
A child of God remains undaunted by anything in this world. The apostles, when faced with stern opposition that threatened their lives at the beginning of their Christian ministry, exemplified this reality. They were emboldened, unafraid of losing their physical lives, as Jesus’ resurrection strengthened them. Their focus was on enforcing God’s will, fully aware that physical opposition cannot stop it when pursued by His children. True Christians today ought to behave similarly.
Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree” (Acts 5:26-30 NKJV).
Christianity was never designed for cowards but for those bold and willing to suffer persecution while standing for what is right. Their pleasure lies more in suffering for doing God’s work than in receiving adoration from those of this world. Christianity is embraced by people who are not intimidated by anything in this world. They envision themselves as having been crucified with Jesus Christ. The most important reality is that they are not different from Jesus. They understand that the only way through is through, without fear.
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:17-19 NKJV).
Physical death awaits all humans in this world. Whether one fears death or not, it inevitably comes. However, for those who believe in Jesus, physical death is no longer regarded as death. God’s judgment condemns everything physical, in humanity. Paul mentioned that Christians are dead in Christ, as symbolized by baptism (Romans 6:3-9). Peter also aptly described that Christians are currently undergoing judgment, as all humans are subject to God’s judgment.
“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 NKJV).
As demonstrated by many, Christianity serves as a source of comfort. Ordinary people associated with true Christians, indeed, find solace, much like they experienced comfort when Jesus was present. However, experiencing comfort in Christianity does not define one as a Christian. A Christian is someone currently undergoing judgment, having relinquished their physical interests to serve Christ. This is what it means to be dead in Christ, as signified by experiencing what Jesus also experienced.
Another interesting aspect of Christianity is that one does not feel intimidated by solitude when testifying the truth. Paul states that Christians are Abraham’s offspring in terms of faith. When called, Abraham did not consider the significance of his relatives. Even when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he did not seek opinions to determine if what he was doing was right. To him, the most important thing was that God had spoken, knowing that with God, nothing would be impossible.
“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.
“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this, we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this, we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God” (1 John 3:10-21 NKJV).
The gravity of this matter lies in the necessity to distinguish clearly between Christians and those who merely associate with true Christians for comfort. The term “Christians” refers to individuals who sacrifice their lives for the benefit of others, as Jesus did for all of humanity. Christianity is a serious commitment, requiring one to no longer value anything associated with the physical body. Those things considered most dangerous by those whom Christians sacrifice for, are regarded as non-threatening. Such individuals cannot be troubled by the relatively smaller number subscribing to Christianity.
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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