The universe operates under consistent laws—like the sun always rising in the East. As long as we agree on what “East” and “West” mean, harmony and understanding prevail. But when a government descends into lawlessness, perhaps through state capture, right becomes confused with left, and left with right. Breaking fundamental law can be as disastrous as defying gravity.
Law itself springs from the principles of origin, pointing unmistakably to a Creator. Humanity’s deepest problems dwell in the space between right and wrong, demanding the ability to tell them apart. Wrongness breeds harm and leads to death; rightness fosters survival. Honesty means being sincere in what we know, skeptical about what we don’t, but pursuing processes of learning to understand the unknown.
The real danger lies not in the known or the unknown, but in pretending to know what we do not. Some claim mastery over things beyond their understanding, drawing crowds who validate their falsehoods. This can be seen in certain expressions of traditional Christianity, where some leaders resist scientific examination of long-held beliefs.
Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer, was dismissed despite undeniable scientific proof. His work unleashed countless discoveries and even advanced Christianity, yet he was not welcomed by those calling themselves followers of Jesus. Thinkers like Galileo could have been recognized as true prophets of God; instead, they were shunned, even while making clear and valuable contributions to knowledge.
Science and religion should work together if truth is to be embraced without resistance. Truth liberates everyone, and only those with something to hide fear it. This principle exposes the shortcomings of our Zimbabwean constitution, which was intended to guide acceptable conduct. Its weakness stems from greed and selfishness. Human laws often fail because they protect narrow interests instead of promoting what is naturally right.
True goodness seeks the survival of the greatest number. Despite its flaws, democracy outshines other forms of governance. Take apartheid, for example—it was designed to protect the few at the expense of the majority. Though it seemed powerful to some at the time, it could not withstand the test of time. Its supporters ignored the undeniable truths found in nature’s laws, which are unbreakable, based on the greatest good to the majority.
Why, then, do so many educated people seem reluctant to apply these laws? Nature’s laws are simple—they are fundamentally about choosing life over death. Break the law of combustion, and you will get burned. The greatest principle for human survival was expressed by Jesus for all who seek to endure: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV).
It is true that whatever one person lacks, another may have in abundance—whether wisdom, knowledge, or finances. No matter how you look at it, what we have means little if it does not benefit others. The wisdom and knowledge held by one person can enrich those around them. Information technology is credited to pioneers like Galileo, yet if he were alive today, he might be astonished by how far new discoveries have gone beyond his own.
He is regarded as great, but so are many others who left nothing to document their ingenuity. As Jesus pointed out, many of humanity’s problems stem from a lack of faith: “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20-21).
Wisdom does not always shield you when surrounded by troublemakers; you can still share the same consequences as those making poor choices. Having wealth among the poor might bring admiration, yet life can feel just as empty, as if you were destined to share their fate. Jesus taught the value of caring for yourself, through caring for others, and the parable of the Good Samaritan captures this perfectly.
The Samaritan helped the injured man purely out of compassion, without seeking recognition or reward, and did not stop to ask for approval—he simply did what was right. This was Jesus’ answer to a lawyer testing him about the meaning of “neighbor.” The lawyer may have known the right answer, but perhaps could not do what the Samaritan—likely with no legal expertise—did: live out the truth that love, driven by common sense, should be extended to everyone.
The phrase “Law and the Prophets” referred to the entire framework of the Old Testament, often misunderstood by the religious leaders of the time. In Matthew’s account of the transfiguration, a deeper meaning emerges that many have missed. Moses and Elijah appear, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets, but Jesus stands above them both, affirmed by the voice from Heaven:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:3-5, NIV).
If Peter ever doubted the authority given to Jesus, the last line makes it clear: “Listen to him!” The Law was meant to guide God’s people toward His will, leaving no confusion when everything came from the source. It was designed to bring order and discipline to all matters of life. The Prophets pointed to the coming Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus, as confirmed by the transfiguration. Sadly, many religious people failed to grasp this truth, as Luke also recorded:
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law” (Luke 16:16-17, NIV).
According to Scripture, Jesus explained that the Law, which upholds heaven and earth, can’t be undone. Breaking God’s laws inevitably causes problems in the world. As long as humanity exists under the current heaven and earth, these laws remain constant. However, His arrival marked the start of a new era under God’s Kingdom, which will ultimately bring about the passing of the present heaven and earth:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4 NIV)
The Israelites received the Law through Moses, while the Prophets’ role was to foretell God’s Kingdom. Its authority is unchanging and grounded in timeless principles set by God Himself, which cannot be altered. Jesus’ authority clears away superstition and doubt. Interestingly, scientists and philosophers often seem more willing than some religious believers to understand and apply these truths. The real challenge lies in helping Christians see that Jesus was more of a teacher, rather than just a religious leader.
After all, truth should be supported by evidence, and Jesus ought to serve as the bridge between science and Christian faith. Thus, He declared that the good news of God’s Kingdom is being preached—pointing to what represents God’s reign, rather than deciding who should or should not be worshipped. For example, while I want my children to obey me as their father, I do not expect them to worship me. Why should God think differently about His own children?
Humanity’s survival depends not on miracles but on established principles. It is about understanding these basic truths and giving each person the responsibility to manage things accordingly. Accidents happen because of errors in human judgment that violate the order sustaining life. Jumping from a tall tower without gauging the height will obviously result in fatality—there is no need to expect a miracle in such a case.
The creator of gravity expects us to grasp the danger of jumping without precautions, not to leap blindly hoping for divine rescue. Prayer does not override established laws. Natural laws are numerous, whether or not they seem immediately relevant to survival. It appears that only scientists fully use these laws, sometimes even without believing in God. Understanding them gives anyone great power, which ties into the importance of what Jesus said about faith as small as a mustard seed being able to move mountains.
He was not talking about miraculous powers as portrayed by religious charlatans, but about the reality grounded in axiomatic laws and God’s nature. In their desire to appear superior, such charlatans often tried to discredit science. The problem with many religious people was their rejection of logic, even though God’s laws are rooted in it. Unfortunately, science has had to lead the way in advancing modern civilization.
It is also disappointing that the legal profession has often been left to create laws for governing politics. When science began producing undeniable discoveries, Christians were frequently reduced to cult-like groups, inadvertently discrediting Jesus—who, in reality, was the first to have scientific relevance. Through His resurrection, He showed that humans are more than just clay seen by the naked eye.
Everything Jesus taught was based on axioms, requiring understanding to navigate life’s challenges. Yet, because of unbelief, Christians idolized Him and lost perspective when confronted with the wisdom of scientific relevance. They tried to discredit valid scientific discoveries to make His miracles seem greater, yet ended up rejecting His genuine teachings instead.
While everything Jesus did was indeed miraculous, what about today’s scientific advancements? We now have fields like Artificial Intelligence, whose effectiveness even religious people cannot dispute. No human can match Jesus in wisdom and knowledge, but it was Jesus Himself who said: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, NIV).
Jesus was the perfect example of someone made in God’s image, yet this did not make Him any less human—all people share that image despite their flaws. What made Him different was His understanding, hidden from the proud but revealed to the humble. With wisdom comes the responsibility to share it, which is why Jesus endured humiliation and death on the cross for everyone. This truth often slips past the educated, distracted by idolatry, even though it is based on simple, self-evident principles that do not even require formal learning.
The greatest of these is knowing that all creation exists because of the Almighty Creator—nothing exists without a cause. The key is embracing the reality of being a child of the living God, a truth Jesus said no human insight could reveal: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:18).
This shows that even someone with no formal education, unable to write their own name, can understand fundamental truths. The Father in Heaven reveals them to whomever He chooses, regardless of social standing or human opinion. Such wisdom is like common sense, captured perfectly in the words: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV).
Some people take pride in holding prestigious law degrees, yet overlook the simple truths Jesus taught. Pursuing higher studies is admirable, but there is no need to think of oneself as superior to those who never had that opportunity. Still, scientists have achieved remarkable things, especially with the rapid progress in information technology.
What sets them apart is not anything extraordinary, but their willingness to explore and apply common sense. Their skill lies in examining the laws of nature and developing practical principles—something anyone can do, no matter their background. We are all created in God’s image, equally capable of understanding if we are willing to put in the effort to learn.
The greatest truth is that nothing exists without God, who made humanity in His own image. If we are God’s children, why seek other identities instead of living in a way that reflects who we truly are? Knowing our true identity is the key to solving all our problems.
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.
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