In a foreign country, it’s easy to become lost in unfamiliar areas or to be misled by criminals who intend to harm. However, with modern technology like GPS (Global Positioning System), one can navigate out of confusing situations. Seeking help from locals can also be beneficial, provided that one exercises common sense, depending on the circumstances that led to their predicament. Every individual possesses the intellectual ability to evaluate information before confirming its truthfulness.
Blindly following the crowd without verifying that its direction matches one’s personal goals is imprudent. While the crowd might be eager to follow a charismatic leader, it does not ensure a secure outcome. In times of trouble, it’s common for the crowd to fault the leader rather than acknowledge their own accountability. Occasionally, some might even ascribe their misdirection to a divine plan, despite being aware that such confusion does not stem from God.
The practice of following can provide false comfort to those uncertain of the path to safety. If Christianity appears filled with confusion, it may be due to adhering to authoritative figures instead of Christ himself. Deception arises when individuals listen to voices other than God’s. Adam received direct instructions from God, yet the deceiver exploited the couple’s doubt about God’s true voice. Confusion arises from heeding incorrect sources of information.
Following a knowledgeable person is often seen as easier than blazing an original trail. However, blazing an original trail can be more beneficial than following fallible humans. As humans, we are all on equal ground, originating from the same source. Our origin is our starting point. Similar to Adam, being aware of one’s origin is deemed crucial.
“Who am I? Why do I exist, and how did I come to be?” These are the most fundamental questions for each individual to contemplate their existence in this physical universe. One may benefit from the experiences of others, yet should not lose sight of these essential inquiries. All humans originate from the same source, and communication with this source is crucial in discerning one’s purpose before leaving the physical body. Knowledge gained directly from the source is more valuable than that acquired through other channels of information.
Information from others can indeed be beneficial, provided its authenticity is verified. A person can be enlightened about the value of Jesus and remove barriers to recognizing His authenticity. However, the greatest risk arises when one places their faith in the informant rather than in God. Idolatry involves transferring one’s faith to another individual instead of God. In a world filled with confusion, physical objects often serve as the greatest impediment to securing one’s safety.
The Berean Jews were noted for their distinct approach compared to the Thessalonian Jews (Acts 17:11-12). They were described as having noble character, diligently checking Paul’s teachings against the Scriptures to verify their truthfulness. They viewed Paul not as the origin, but as a conduit of the message. The Bereans faced fewer difficulties in grasping the gospel because they depended on the Scriptures themselves, rather than Paul’s persona. This principle of information verification stands as the most crucial, surpassing any other ever proposed in the world.
Jesus is constant, yesterday, today, and forever. He is the sole authentic shepherd with an unchanging voice. While translations might introduce some confusion into the recorded Scriptures, those who are truthful cannot be misled. His sheep will not be deceived by the myriad voices claiming to represent Him. This aligns with the assurance Jesus provided, to aid those seeking to avoid confusion. His declarations act to dispel any uncertainty that Jesus is the source.
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
“The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so, I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:9-16 NKJV).
The term “shepherd” translates to “Pastor” in Greek. Thus, Jesus is proclaimed as the sole authentic Pastor. The number of pastors worldwide is indeterminable; theoretically, a new pastor emerges every minute from different parts of the globe. There are innumerable pastors claiming authenticity, yet it is up to each listener to weigh their teachings against the words of Jesus.
Christians worldwide represent a spectrum of beliefs. Leaders often assume or are given roles that may not align with the directives of Jesus Christ. The core teachings of Jesus are frequently overlooked in favour of leadership hierarchies based on human judgment. Despite Jesus’ clear guidance on the structure of Christian communities, what exists today often bears little resemblance to his instructions.
“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. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:8-13 NKJV).
Jesus should not be seen as autocratic. He is the source whose teachings require no intermediary. He compared those who follow His words, to those who build on solid rock, ensuring the structure’s stability. As long as one precisely adheres to His teachings, there is no chance of going astray. Those who claim to be leaders are merely obstacles, not facilitators unless their teachings are in harmony with those of Jesus.
Within every individual’s inner conscience lies a unique voice that guides them in discerning right from wrong. This personal compass, perceived as a divine gift, is deeply personal and cannot be shared with others. By heeding this inner voice, one can steer clear of deceit when assessing communications. This conscience is impervious to external influence, as it is believed to originate directly from God. That little voice should be prioritized in all situations.
In this world, certain individuals are permitted to evaluate information on behalf of others, as required by those constrained by physical limitations. There is no evidence to suggest that rejecting such authorities is abhorrent to God. However, even with that assurance, dissenting from those endowed with the authority to lead can result in being labelled an outcast. That label subjects one to forfeiting the advantages of association with the community. This dilemma has caused many who could be children of God to stumble and surrender.
Overcoming requires recognizing that Abraham’s call is akin to a Christian calling. Adam did not require a human leader to facilitate his commitment to obeying God. His direct communication with God prompted him to leave his kin and follow God’s command. Many assume there will be benefits to obeying God and become frustrated when the reality is the contrary.
Recognizing one’s identity as originating from God, one stops seeing others as authorities and instead as equals. No one possesses greater esteem than another; each person is accorded the honour due to any fellow human. Although leaders are essential, possessing advanced knowledge does not warrant additional honour. They deserve respect, just as every other human being does, and we should be thankful to God for making them channels of His will.
Failures often stem from individuals focusing solely on their own interests, seeking self-validation rather than acknowledging the worth of others. Progress is driven more by competition than by the cooperation it should ideally foster. In a world where possessing information often translates to prioritizing profit over human advancement, leaders tend to regard themselves as superior to their peers. Leadership is the position from which others are inspired to follow.
Followers often remain unaware of the costs associated with their allegiance. Zimbabwe exemplifies a nation bearing the consequences of misdirection by its trusted leaders. If individuals had heeded their own conscience instead of succumbing to peer pressure and the influence of those in power, the situation might have been different. Presently, the prevalent attitude is one of assigning blame to the leaders, who perhaps presumed that leadership equated to superiority over others. Rather than acknowledging their negligence, they ascribe everything to divine will and remain in their slumber of irresponsibility.
Correcting this necessitates the realization that we are not different from those in power. If every citizen had pondered the three questions: “Who am I? Why do I exist, and how did I come to be?” there would have been no cause for such complacency. Each individual would recognize themselves as a manifestation of God in their own right, eliminating any reason to cast blame and instead taking responsibility for its existence.
The consequences of adherence are not easily confined to one generation but extend to those that follow. Subsequent generations may inherit the belief that there is value in emulating the errors of their predecessors. This perpetuates the fallacy that some races are superior to others, leading those who accept this belief to participate in a system where they are relegated to the role of the oppressed. The cycle continues unabated.
The afflictions of humanity can often be traced back to the erroneous belief that some people are inherently superior to others. This falsehood, perpetuated only by pride, stands in stark contrast to the truth that all humans are created in God’s image. Recognizing our creation in God’s likeness renders it senseless to devalue or exalt any individual. While one may possess knowledge that can significantly alter human society, it does not elevate them above anyone else, including those with intellectual disabilities. Likewise, an individual with such disabilities should not be seen as lesser than someone with advanced cognitive skills.
The significance of the Godly image is that a person with cognitive abilities ought to take full responsibility for one with intellectual disabilities. A person who despises another fellow human carries a disease from the Garden of Eden incident. He assumes he is superior to his Creator when the opposite is true. An intellectually challenged person is owed assistance by someone with advanced cognitive abilities, not vice versa. If humanity fails to understand Godliness, it is due to this misinformation.
The Berean Jews, who examined Paul’s teachings against the Scriptures to verify their accuracy, understood the source of knowledge. They focused on the true origin of leadership. They considered Paul a peer, despite his advanced knowledge. By attaining the same level of understanding as Paul, they became his equals, while still valuing his contributions. Paul’s mission was not to assert superiority but to enlighten those lacking knowledge.
In essence, humans are created equal and are meant to support each other in achieving greater understanding and to be assisted in areas where they may lack expertise. None is regarded as inferior or superior. The Berean Jews were renowned for their nobility, always ready to assist Paul. This exemplifies the ideal state of humanity as envisioned by God. This cannot be a challenge for those who grasp the significance of being made in God’s image.
All challenges humanity faces can be traced to failure to apply the principle of treating each other as equals. Some resign to apathy, assuming it is not for them to attain knowledge. They assign the responsibility of acquiring knowledge to those considered intellectually superior while relegating themselves to being followers. Those assuming positions of intellectual superiority feel exulted and comfortable; rather than provide sterling service to help the ignorant reach their level of understanding.
Typically, individuals with intolerant views may feel threatened by newcomers attaining their level of understanding. Conversely, humble people strive to help those less fortunate. This illustrates why human dignity is not rooted in pride. The golden rule, which advocates treating others as one would like to be treated, can be challenging to apply in a world where some are seen as followers and others as leaders. The significant cost of not adhering to the principle of acquiring knowledge directly from the source is exemplified by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
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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