Jesus insisted that anyone having seen Him would have seen His Father. In other words, God and Jesus are one and the same. It seems our modern Theologians fail to duplicate what Jesus said? They take this to mean that Jesus represented some complement of God. But the context, specifically, implies that Jesus and His Father are one and the same.
This is just as when touching my leg, one would have touched me—as my leg and I are inseparable. Our Theologians assume that Jesus is a member of Trinity—implying that without Jesus, God would be incomplete. We cannot handle their misunderstanding, without first grasping the source of their confusion.
What they—together with those already confused by them—find difficult to comprehend is the aspect where Jesus prayed to His Father. Also, this is further compounded by the fact that at His baptism, the Spirit descended from Heaven, declaring that Jesus was God’s beloved Son (Matthew 3:16-17).
Yet Jesus declared that anyone having seen Him would have seen His Father? Those Theologians also fail to comprehend how Jesus would ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit, to those who loved Him. While the Holy Spirit and God are inseparable—they find it convenient to view the Holy Spirit as another component that complements their triune formula of Trinity.
As simple as the problem appears as having been resolved through their triune formula—it then becomes difficult for them to comprehend the actual reality. As, God cannot be identified through such simplistic formulae. They become bewildered—as to easily get knocked over-board—when presented with Scriptures like the one below:
“If anyone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20-21) (ESV).
The above Scriptures, simply reveals that it is impossible to differentiate God from another fellow human being. This is just as simple as connecting this with the fact that all human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). When Jesus said: “Anyone who has seen me has seen my Father” (John 14:9) He was simply aligning the reality of what is applicable to humanity Genesis 1:26-27.
Also, Jesus declared this reality, when confronting Paul, on his way to Damascus (Acts 5:9). Paul had been persecuting the brethren—consciously unaware of the fact that he was persecuting Jesus—whom the Theologians describe as a member of Trinity. But, how did those brethren of Jesus fit in the Trinitarian context, as interpreted by our beloved Theologians?
Furthermore, Jesus describes a scenario that will separate Christians from false ones (Matthew 25:31-46). “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Why, then, do those beloved Theologians take comfort in separating what Jesus said was inseparable? I honestly do not mean to belittle those people—also dearly loved by God.
I am quite convinced that most—if not all of them—really mean to sincerely represent Jesus, in their endeavors. But the simple question that they are unwilling to confront is: Who is this Jesus that they represent—if they are unable to accept what He clearly stated?
The regular followers of this website ought to have become aware that God cannot be likened to anything created. We can only appreciate the reality of God, on the things that He created. But, more-so, on the very human beings, whom He created in His own image.
The inability to understand this simplicity lies in not knowing that a human being—just like Jesus—is basically, spiritual, rather than physical. The physical person, is not what was created in God’s image. But the person created in God’s image, dwells in the physical flesh that at some stage ceases to exist.
This is just as we know that a temple—while described as God’s dwelling place—is itself, not God. Jesus said: “Destroy this Temple and I will raise it in three days” (John 2:19-21). This reveals that, personally, Jesus was not the Temple. The Temple that Jesus was referring to, was His physical body—implying that Jesus was the being who dwelt in a physical body.
What we generally see in behavior of humanity, cannot represent God. Humanity lost identity through the Garden of Eden incident. Using the physical body, humanity applies Satan’s principle—instead of Godly principle. But that does not take away the fact that humanity was created in God’s image.
This highlights the reason why Jesus came and died on the cross. The physical flesh that humanity survives in, requires food for sustenance. Requiring food, itself, is natural—as biologically necessary for survival—in order to eventually access one’s relationship with one’s own Creator.
Our physical lives have value—only when God is allowed to take over. This is where the challenge lies—as the spirit of ego seeks to keep the person in ostentation. The spirit of ego does not come from God. Its origin is a being, called Satan. Through the Garden of Eden incident, humanity adopted the spirit of ego—and assumed value in ego—yet there is no value in ego.
Ego enhances self-esteem, self-worth, self-image, leading to self-centeredness. There is no survival value in ego—but humanity finds value in ego—as naturally leading to self-centeredness. Doing unto others as one would like them do unto one, cannot be possible—when possessing the spirit of ego.
The person starts by fault-finding in his fellow men—whom he assumes as failing to apply the principles that he himself applies. Meanwhile, the vilified people also seek to enhance their self-worth—to also prove having some sense of self-worth. The cycle remains unstoppable.
This, therefore, is a trap, not understood—even by the highly esteemed religious people of this world. There is not a single person of this world who could be able to come out of this trap, without God’s help. All the problems of humanity can only be removed, as soon as the problematic cycle is out of the way.
The pinning point is right at the center of ego. “Why can’t the other person behave like me—than behaving the way he/she does?” But that question alone, exposes the questioner to the principle of ego—assuming being better than those being judged.
In that judgmental attitude, the person remains bogged in the miry clay of sinfulness. It takes a real miracle for one to realize that other people need him, as much as he needs other people—even for survival purposes.
The spiritual enhancement of any person depends on what is done to others—regardless of how they fare—in terms of dignity. This is why Jesus could not take offense against those that spat at his face—using all sorts of invective insults.
Jesus could not take offense, because He knew that the ordinary people lacked knowledge. It was that knowledge deficiency that caused humanity to behave in that manner. Jesus’ mental attitude was conditioned according to His knowledge of what was necessary to extricate humanity from such a repulsive trap.
Using His knowledge, Jesus followed a precise route—guiding humanity towards salvation—although, the majority of humanity will remain ignorant, until the end. Part of that process required empathy—an English term that is a slight variation of sympathy. A sympathetic person may be viewed as also considerate—but unable to share what the person sympathized with, goes through.
However, empathy implies putting oneself in another person’s shoes. In other words, you become the other person—even though you would be different. You feel what the other person feels. You come to understand, even the most stupid cause of him having gotten into that condition. You walk with him, even if everyone turns their backs against him.
You cry with him and be available for him to climb out of that despicable condition. This has got nothing to do with attracting respect from ordinary humans. This may, actually, invite scorn and slander. Jesus was vilified for befriending Himself with sinful people (Matthew 11:19). One of the conditions—leading Christians to such entrapments—is desiring to be seen as good.
Ordinary Christians dislike being associated with drug paddlers, prostitutes and corrupt people, for instance? Ordinarily, having become Christian, one is expected to dissociate with the so-called sinful people. Our modern Christians desire to be seen to be good—regardless of the fact that this is where they miss the mark.
Desiring to be seen as good, enhances the hidden spirit of ego. This is why Jesus said one should rejoice, only when persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12). Most people prefer highlighting what is commonly accepted as fact: “Christians are better than the flagrant sinners, out in the world.” However, this is all, but false data. See [The only time a Christian should be depressed].
The glaringly cold truth remains: Christians are, actually, exposed—as facing the worst—when compared with the most blatant sinners. Their exposure includes flirting with the danger of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit:
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever, speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32) (ESV).
This is, indeed, sobering for Zimbabweans—taking pride in their country being identified as Christian. My prayer is for this massage to go far and wide—as Christianity should never be taken as something to induce pride. Appearing as if better, should actually cause any person to smell a rat—instead of feeling comfortable to be a Christian.
All humans were created in God’s image—regardless of their circumstances. Even the person of no fixed aboard—like the poor Lazarus of the Bible—was created in God’s image (Luke 16:19-30). This includes the most corrupt, in government circles—causing untold suffering among ordinary people. Those people were also created in God’s image. What should be the purpose of Christianity, then?
The falsified view is in assuming that Christianity leads to abundant living—where others remain in abject poverty. When taking John 10:10, out of context—most people assume that Christianity serves, in accessing abundant riches. However, the purpose of Christianity has got nothing to do with either poverty or wealth.
This is why Jesus discouraged people from following Him—although having received quantifiable benefits from Him. Jesus did not proselytize people to follow Him—for purposes of receiving benefits. Instead, He required surrendering everything, before follow Him (Luke 14:25-33).
The survival instinct with ordinary people seeks to nourish the physical nature. This is different from the spiritual nature—not requiring food for survival. God’s nature makes something out of nothing (Creation). But the nature of humanity, in their current condition is to make nothing out of something (consumption).
An ordinary human being desires to indulge in consumption—rather than creation. Applying God’s mind, implies discovering that one was created in God’s image—refocusing more on production (creation) rather than consumption. That person enjoys feeding other people—more than focusing on feeding himself. The person thinks like Jesus, in everything he does.
There is no other way of checking whether one’s activities are in line with true Christianity. The activities that are linked with God’s mind seek to improve other people’s lives. That person rejoices only when others benefit from his/her activities—as adding value to their existence. This is in direct opposition to what those with passions for consumption and self-benefit pursue.
The person with Godly attitude is not even obsessed with applications of certain fundamental religious doctrines. Most of his time is spent on improving other people’s lives—as delighting in improving their lives. That person is happy—only when other people’s lives improve. This is the opposite of what the person of this world focuses on.
On the extreme—the person of this world, actually, rejoices—only when his neighbors go through hard times. Their agonies—whether in abject poverty or sickness—make him feel comfortable. The person takes comfort in being adulated for being better than the rest of his/her peers.
If driving a beautiful car, that person delights in observing those queuing for transport—to their low-class residential areas. The person may be generous, to some degree. But feeling uncomfortable when those beneficiaries, start improving—appearing as drawing closer towards matching his status. Such a mind-set is opposed to God’s mind—revealed in Jesus’ attitude:
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men: And being found in human form, he humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:3-8) (ESV).
To those desiring to identify with God’s mind; Jesus’ behavior tells it all. This requires no Theology—but reveals engrossment with desire to improve other people’s lives. Theology, itself, is of benefit—only when occupied in improving other people’s lives—regardless of such people’s sinful conditions.
All compliments should belong to God—rather than one taking comfort in acquiring the supreme status of being “Theologian.” Desiring promotion should, actually, be viewed as anathema to Godly principles.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from 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 reliefs to those having witnessed strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long awaited providential oasis of hope.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99