The term “love” is often misapplied, misused, abused, and misconstrued, contributing to many of the world’s problems. If this term were employed per its true definition, such issues would not arise. Many criminal acts stem from a misunderstanding of love’s meaning. However, through Jesus, one can comprehend the true significance of love as originally defined. As humans, we can truly value love when it is expressed in its genuine sense, leading to the adoration of the one who offers it.
When Christianity is embraced in the way Jesus intended, it undergoes a profound transformation to embody the essence of love. The gravest misapplication begins with an incorrect embrace of Christianity. Understanding the true meaning of Christianity is essential before contemplating the importance of love. Simon Peter, whose name became synonymous with the founding of the Church of God, faced severe reprimand for his misinterpretation.
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:21-26 NKJV).
The directive given to the disciples came after Jesus corrected Peter, who had earlier been praised for recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. This part of the scripture highlights the importance of love. Peter believed he was demonstrating love through his dedication to Jesus. However, Jesus’ subsequent reprimand was crucial in highlighting the frequent misinterpretation of love towards others. Jesus clarified that Peter’s actions were, in fact, contrary to love and thus, displeasing to God. It becomes impossible to err when guided by the above Scripture.
To deny oneself and take up one’s cross to follow Jesus signifies the essence of true love, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. It is neither possible nor fruitful to claim to exercise love without grasping the concept of self-denial. In seeking to serve one’s life, one may actually lose it. Hence, this Scripture encapsulates the entirety of Christianity. An individual may be esteemed and receive worldly accolades, yet still miss the mark due to a misinterpretation of Jesus’ teachings. This necessitates a profound change within the realm of Christianity.
Understanding the importance of self-denial is crucial. Jesus foresaw His suffering and showed determination to withstand the agony of the cross. He was not taken by surprise by the events that followed; instead, they strengthened His resolve to confront them with full preparation. By conveying this to His disciples, He intended to strengthen them as well. Yet, in a way that is typical of humans, they did not grasp the entirety of His message. The concept of self-denial, as presented by Jesus, did not resonate with them at that moment.
Individuals who commit to regularly attending church services often believe they are dedicating themselves to the love of Jesus. However, the significance of self-denial may be underestimated. Seeking personal salvation can reflect a desire to preserve one’s life, which, paradoxically, might lead to its loss according to Jesus’ teachings. He instructed that one must deny oneself to truly save one’s life. To retain their congregations, church leaders may sometimes construe Jesus’ words in unintended ways. This has led to the devaluation of Christianity, undermining the success of its core principles.
Individuals often reinterpret Christianity to align with different narratives, emphasizing its benefits over the sacrificial commitment it entails. Following Jesus requires self-denial, not self-indulgence. One should not claim affiliation with Christianity without understanding its true essence. Being a disciple of Jesus is distinct from merely enjoying the benefits of His works. Jesus himself emphasized this distinction to those who were reaping the rewards of His services.
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:25-33 NKJV).
This clarifies any uncertainty for those who wish to follow Jesus Christ. To comprehend fully, one must recognize that physical existence is fundamentally contrary to spiritual existence. In this world, survival necessitates support, making indulgence beneficial for sustaining life. Conversely, spiritual survival requires a commitment to the inverse: concentrating on giving without expecting to receive. This embodies the importance of self-denial, as taught by Jesus. Paul also emphasized the point that the two principles are opposed to each other.
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:16-21 NKJV).
A prevalent deception that often affects Christians is the assumption that pleasing God aligns with doing things that others find admirable. Some translations interpret ‘contentions’ as ‘party spirit.’ For example, patriotism is seen as a noble sentiment by those who are passionate about their country. Donald Trump’s slogan, “Let’s make America great again!” is endearing to Americans, implying that other nations should adopt a similar stance for their own countries. Regrettably, this slogan is also favoured by many Christians, unaware that it goes contrary to Christ’s teachings. Being popularly endorsed by the majority does not suggest goodness.
The essence of Christianity is rooted in self-denial rather than seeking the approval of others. It demands placing God’s word above all else, even one’s own kin. This tenet is underscored by Jesus’ significant statement on the necessity to forsake parents, children, and even oneself. Such dedication is akin to the sacrifices made by those who left their families to join a liberation struggle, confronting the unknowns of survival. The Christian journey goes beyond merely participating in a liberation movement. Many individuals embrace Christianity without fully understanding its implications.
The widespread acceptance of an idea does not automatically validate its virtue. Although democracy is highly esteemed and generally considered superior to other systems, it should not be mistaken for an embodiment of love. A significant portion of global suffering stems from actions erroneously labelled as loving. Genuine love should always align with God’s standards. The Apostle Paul devoted effort to clarifying the true essence of love, echoing much of Jesus’ teachings. A thorough study of these Scriptures instils confidence in one’s Christian pursuits.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up: does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NKJV).
In matters of love, the essential point is that it’s not about impressing others. While people may heap praise on acts of kindness, this should not be mistaken for personal greatness. This is why Jesus taught to rejoice in the face of persecution, stating that his followers would find joy amidst such trials. According to his teachings, acts of kindness should be performed in a distinctive way, rather than in the ordinary fashion. His suggestions cannot resonate with those of this world.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
The statement made by Jesus could be interpreted as a deterrent to donors, irrespective of the nobility of the fundraising cause. Not recognizing contributors might be seen as a significant oversight by the beneficiaries. However, Jesus advocated for anonymous donations. It is crucial to understand that Jesus was not declaring this as a universal directive. He was addressing His disciples, who had abandoned everything to follow Him. The purpose is to assist readers in discerning the distinction between conformity and transformation. The Christian vocation promotes transformation over conformity.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).
The discussed concept implies that true love is about selfless giving without the expectation of return. In examining the nature of God, one finds a being devoted to bestowing rather than obtaining. The Old Testament Scriptures highlighted giving as a means for the Israelites to attain physical blessings. However, this was part of a religious philosophy intended to uphold the laws governing the Israelites. In contrast, Christianity is not directed by laws but by divine principles that encourage a God-like mindset. Discussing love on a human level is considered imprudent, as it seems irrelevant on such a plane.
True love is found in God alone. Those who practice true love, even if they are not Christians, do so without knowing they have God’s approval. These are the individuals Jesus referred to, who will be surprised to enter God’s Kingdom on Judgment Day. It is important not to confuse them with Christians. A thorough analysis reveals that Christians are the ones Jesus called His brothers, whom the righteous served without realizing it. Understanding this is crucial for anyone earnestly seeking to follow Christian values sincerely. Practising true love may render a person unpopular among peers, as it is often perceived as unwise.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:32-40 NKJV).
Righteous individuals may not even realize that they are serving Christ through their actions. Among those considered gentiles, many adhere to these principles. Although these individuals may not receive as much recognition as traditional donors, their deeds will be recognized by God. This underscores the essential truth that true love goes beyond grandly celebrated acts. It is a divine principle, valued by those whom only God knows.
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.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99