Introduction
Governments often struggle to resolve the very problems they create, leaving societies in cycles of confusion and dependency. Yet, restoring sanity is possible by returning to three foundational truths inherent in every human being: True Identity, True Education, and True Value. Without understanding these principles, individuals remain trapped in societal illusions. This presentation explores how embracing these principles fosters personal and collective freedom. Christianity should be regarded as the starting place of such an endeavour.
- True Identity: Beyond Tribalism and External Pressures
A person’s identity is not defined by nationalism, tribalism, or the expectations of others. Each individual is uniquely created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), designed with a distinct purpose and potential. Imitation may seem harmless, but it erodes authenticity, like a fingerprint; no two journeys are identical. The earlier this is understood, the better for humanity.
Breaking Free from False Influences
- Parents: While parents instil moral foundations, children must ultimately follow their God-given path. Parents guide, but Christ shapes (Proverbs 22:6). Parenting is shaped by culture and tradition, but it’s essential to ensure it aligns with God’s word (Ephesians 6:1). Respecting parents is important, yet the Bible emphasises doing so in the Lord. Scripture provides the ultimate guidance, helping every decision reflect His teachings.
- Politicians: Youth are often weaponised for political agendas. Criminals take advantage of human ignorance, using politics as a convenient stage to manipulate others for their own gain. They thrive on people’s lack of awareness to push their interests. True empowerment comes from self-discovery, not from blindly following fleeting ideologies.
- Church Leaders: Pastors are shepherds, not dictators. Every believer, led by the Holy Spirit, can serve as a pastor based on the gifts they’ve been given. Young people need to examine teachings through Scripture (Acts 17:11) and form their own beliefs. Many of the deceptions affecting humanity stem from Christianity itself. Hierarchical structures within Christianity are often abused to manipulate uninformed converts, mirroring societal systems (Matthew 20:25-28).
- Peers: Peer pressure thrives where integrity is absent. Like Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14), standing firm in truth outweighs crowd approval. Believing that the majority’s opinion is true often stems from a lack of self-confidence. However, someone grounded in their own identity is unlikely to fall into groupthink. Such individuals act according to God’s approval rather than seeking validation from the crowd.
Key Takeaway: Identity rooted in divine purpose liberates individuals from societal coercion, whether influenced by parental upbringing, Politicians, Church Leaders or peer pressure. In Jesus, the person becomes a new creation, unaffected by issues of external influence.
- True Education: Unlocking Potential, Not Conformity
False education occurs when career choices are based purely on money or the need to meet others’ expectations. It happens when people believe education should replicate the journeys of so-called successful individuals. High achievers succeed because they excel naturally in their fields. Everyone has unique talents and abilities, but overlooking these to copy others often leads to inefficiency. Education becomes meaningful when it is designed to nurture and develop the student’s natural strengths, rather than using other people’s successes as a yardstick.
Flaws to Concentrate On
- Career Bias: Societies glorify certain professions (doctors, engineers) while undervaluing others (cleaners, artisans). Yet, every role is vital—a chef’s meal means little in a filthy restaurant. Manual jobs often have lower wages when there’s an oversupply of unskilled workers. Educated individuals might also experience exploitation if they feel trapped without alternatives. Education helps distribute job demand more evenly across professions, which can result in higher wages for cleaners when fewer people are competing for those roles.
- Colonial Legacies: Historical hierarchies (e.g., manual labour as “inferior”) persist, stifling innovation. This stemmed from capitalists taking advantage of an uneducated labour force to boost profits. Still, it doesn’t take away from the importance of these roles. Imagine cities where cleaners were honoured like graduates or professionals—hygiene and dignity would flourish.
- Work Ethic vs. Exploitation: Passion—not coercion—drives excellence in any field. A janitor who loves their craft deserves fair pay and respect. However, due to a culture of categorising humans, such janitors are considered inferior, notwithstanding the value of their work.
Key Takeaway: Education must nurture individuality, not herd minds into “approved” boxes. True value lies not in achievements but in the positive impact one has on others, possible when one is engaged in their own inherent talent, rather than regimented to please others.
- True Value: Humanity Over Materialism
Human value is beyond comparison. As the Creator, God showed His love for humanity above all else, right from the beginning. Yet, people often prioritise material things over human lives, leading to many of the world’s issues. In our wealth-driven culture, even churches sometimes emphasise tithes over transformed lives. Poor people would be marginalised, considered not to meet the standards that would be set, based on categorising people according to class. However, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross should remind us of the priceless worth of humanity (John 3:16).
The Crisis of Conditional Love
- Discrimination: No one, whether prisoner or pastor, is beyond redemption (Galatians 3:28). In the name of convenience, some Christian groups exclude individuals they consider unworthy, such as former criminals, from their communities. Paul even confronted Peter for similar behaviour in Galatians 2:11-21. While those behaving that way might believe this upholds the group’s dignity and brings them closer to God, the truth is often the opposite.
- Racism and Denominationalism in Faith: Christians often love “their own” more than outsiders, contradicting Jesus’ command (Matthew 5:44). Racism and denominationalism continue to be ongoing issues, as people often feel more comfortable around those with similar identities. This unease comes from not fully grasping the true value of humanity. Yet, the worth of humanity extends far beyond physical considerations and appearances.
- The Solution: Unconditional love dissolves barriers. Jesus, being a Jew, never discriminated against anyone. With Jesus as the model for Christianity, the gospel could spread naturally. Embracing the same unconditional love Jesus demonstrated by sacrificing Himself for humanity could help overcome denominational conflicts and mend social divisions..
Key Takeaway: Value people as God does—not for what they own, but for who they are. This reflects the heart of Christianity before powerful sermons are preached. Achieving sanity cannot be attained as long as humanity fails to value and respect the simplicity of being created in God’s image.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, 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, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be 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