The definition of life, distinct from the inanimate, encompasses characteristics that differentiate living beings from non-living matter. These characteristics include the capacity to grow, reproduce, engage in functional activities, and continuously change until the expended material is cast off. In contrast, what is dead decomposes, while what is alive endures, even as it discards unneeded materials. This distinction underscores the existence of binary states within the physical universe. The physical matter represents what is discarded, where the spirit endures.
Humanity’s profound issue lies in perceiving life as death and death as life, stemming from a lack of awareness that life encompasses more than just the physical. Ironically, death is often held in higher regard than life. Policies on life are more focused on death rather than extending life. This inversion of priorities makes investing in life seem unattainable. Similarly, while seemingly supportive of life, the medical aid cover often prioritizes profit maximization over genuine life-saving.
It is indisputable that Medical Aid packages are often designed more for maximizing profits than extending life. It is important to understand that diseases are spiritually originated, rather than physically originated. Thus, addressing spiritual issues may negate the need for medical treatment. In essence, physical ailments are manifestations of unresolved spiritual issues. This leads to the question of what a spirit is. Without understanding the spiritual concept, one may continue to struggle in ignorance. Life’s origin is believed to be spiritual rather than physical. So, the most profound consideration is addressing the question: “What exactly is a spirit?”
A spirit can be defined as the immortal essence of a human. When it is united with the physical body, the spirit’s presence influences the body’s well-being or decline. The physical body experiences distress when the spirit is in a negative state. Conversely, the body thrives when the spirit is in a positive ethical state. A spirit engaging in unethical behaviour brings suffering to both the physical body and the surrounding environment. Physical life ceases to exist without the spirit, suggesting that the spirit is synonymous with life itself.
A person who is spiritually oriented is truly alive, while one who is solely focused on the physical might as well be considered dead. This concept aligns with Jesus’ statement: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of relinquishing physical pursuits in favour of spiritual ones. By concentrating on physical interests, an individual may lose touch with spiritual matters, which are more concerned with eternal life than mere survival in the physical realm.
Humans desire life, yet they often invest time and resources in matters that contribute more to death than to life. For example, using the principle of dichotomy, death is associated with receiving, while life is associated with giving. A deceased person cannot give; instead, everything is provided for them, including their final resting place. It requires a living person, characterized by the act of giving, to secure a burial site and procure a coffin for the deceased, be it lavish or modest. All is done on behalf of the deceased by those living.
A person may make arrangements for their funeral, but it is up to the living to execute their will upon death. At the moment of death, the deceased’s life savings and funeral policies no longer belong to them. It then becomes the prerogative of the living whether to purchase an expensive casket or opt for cremation, as the deceased no longer possesses what was once theirs. In acquiring these assets, one might assume they are benefiting themselves, yet in reality, they are investing in their death. The contrast lies in using available resources to aid as many people as possible during one’s lifetime. This is what describes the purpose of living, as opposed to death.
Nonetheless, the legacy of those serving other people endures in the memories of those who would have benefited from their deeds. Consider Jesus as an exemplar; He committed His life to serve humankind, consistently assisting those seeking His aid. He cured the ill and the disfigured, without demanding payment for such services. He retained nothing for Himself and bequeathed no tangible assets to His kin, only the heritage of devoting His existence for the betterment of all humanity. His followers are encouraged to do the same.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV).
The encouragement to adopt an attitude like that of Jesus suggests prioritizing the aspects of life over those of death. Unbelief often stems from not recognizing that Jesus is as alive today as He was in the first century. Despite the unbelief, Jesus’ name is invoked more frequently than any other living person’s name today. His name serves as a testament to His ongoing existence, despite being acknowledged as having died on the cross. A person is considered alive to the extent that they can serve or contribute to others. But the same person can be considered dead, to the extent that they cannot offer anything to others.
This world operates on the mistaken belief that one’s vitality is measured by their ability to receive from others while deeming those who give as equivalent to the dead. This fallacy is perpetuated by pride, which equates the amassing of wealth with the essence of life. For the prideful, hard work is justified only when it leads to personal wealth accumulation. However, true life is embodied in the principle of hard work that benefits others. Although hard work is common to both, the former is aligned with death, whereas the latter is synonymous with life.
All material possessions gain significance in death, as opposed to life that is not sustained by the material. To truly live, one must be prepared to relinquish all possessions for the benefit of others. While many people yearn for the blessing of eternal life, their attachment to material wealth often stands in the way. Unbeknownst to them, it is this very attachment that prevents them from achieving eternal life. This principle is underscored by a Biblical anecdote that highlights its significance, as emphasized by Jesus.
“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:16-25 NKJV)
In declaring that the concept of giving was not appealing to humanity, the disciples acknowledged the state of human nature. This mindset was a snare that plagued all of humanity. Consequently, the disciples believed that entering God’s Kingdom was unattainable for humans. Every individual is preoccupied with the notion of acquiring, which is presumed to be essential for life. Jesus had to provide them with extensive information, the most valuable piece being that with God, nothing is impossible. This requires discarding whatever information is in one’s possession and replacing it with what comes from God.
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:26-30 NKJV).
Whenever Jesus articulated a core teaching, He often concluded with the proclamation: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Verse 30). This statement should not be taken lightly. It underscores the importance of humility in aspiring to be foremost in God’s Kingdom. To attain the title of King of Kings, Jesus embraced the role of the servant. Consider His willingness to be equated with a notorious criminal like Barabbas. While Jesus was not the gravest of sinners, He assumed the place of one, to redeem even the most lost among sinners.
As physical entities, we should be willing to sacrifice all for salvation, including our corporeal forms. Giving is an attitude that emphasizes contributing value to others rather than just receiving. The act of Jesus giving up His life for a notorious criminal such as Barabbas deeply exemplifies the true meaning of life. Without grasping the purpose of life, one may perceive Jesus’ actions as unconventional.
Self-defence is frequently associated with the risk of eternal demise while defending others at a personal cost is considered a path to eternal life. Giving, often perceived as a loss in this world, is not truly a loss. In contrast, receiving, which is generally seen as beneficial, holds no real value if it comes without giving in return. The greatest benefit in this world is achieved through giving, not by persisting in a receiving mindset. It appears that those who seek life must pursue the opposite of what has driven them throughout their existence. Transformation involves shifting from seeking personal gain to placing generosity above self-interest.
Every person on Earth is in dire need of life. Even the most infamous criminal partakes in heinous acts in pursuit of life. This illustrates the misconception that life can be gained through self-aggrandizement, whereas in reality, the opposite holds true. The principle of consumption stands in contrast to the principle of production. As beings created in the image of God, we are called to adopt a divine perspective, prioritizing production. To exemplify the principle of giving to a flawed humanity, God offered His only Son.
A person considered to be a hard worker, whose aim is to acquire as much profit as possible, is investing in death. His or her accumulated wealth would shift to others, while not having gained anything for him or herself. On the contrary, a person considered to be a hard worker, whose aim is to serve as many people as possible would be investing in life. This is what summarizes the teachings of Jesus, as covered in the four Gospel Books. If God is characterized as giving, those claiming to be Jesus’ followers are occupied more with giving than receiving.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24 NKJV).
Globally, motivational speakers are prevalent in every business niche, inspiring the youth to venture into entrepreneurship. They advocate for diligence, albeit with a focus on profit generation. This epitomizes the ‘mammon’ that Jesus identified as a rival to God. Striving for profit maximization is akin to investing in death, whereas working diligently to serve humanity is akin to investing in life. Humanity’s challenges stem from failing to perceive the lesson Jesus conveyed in the aforementioned Scripture. A true believer embraces it simply because Jesus said it, prior to fully grasping the understanding they may lack.
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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