Every person—whether a beggar or a wanderer—carries within them a potential far greater than the force of an atomic bomb, even if their outward appearance seems unremarkable. What many struggle to grasp is the truth that human beings are created in God’s image. A person is not merely a physical body that will one day be buried, whether in a place of honor or left to nature. The body we see does not fully represent the true person made in God’s likeness.
God cannot be compared to a physical form or confined by material things, and the same holds true for those created in His image. Mistaken identity often arises from focusing only on physical limitations. In the spiritual realm, there are no limits. If God is boundless, then humans, made in His likeness, are also limitless. Jesus came to lift the shadows that have long clouded humanity.
The greatest mystery throughout the ages is the true significance of humanity. To understand a human being, one must look beyond skin color, gender, or race. The real challenge lies in believing in one’s true identity. What many accept as reality is often as flawed as what James, a servant of God, described as manifesting from evil thoughts.
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1–4, NIV)
James’s point is reinforced by our tendency to lump things together just because they seem alike, even when they lead to very different outcomes. It is not unusual to hear sweeping statements like, “All women are gossipers,” “All men are womanizers,” “All whites are racists,” or “All blacks are stupid.” Such thinking does not come from reason but from irrationality.
First impressions after seeing people for the first time can be deceptive. In the business world, a curriculum vitae often plays a big role in determining whether someone lands a job. A CV can give useful insight into a person’s background, which is far better than judging them by their clothes, the car they drive, or the neighborhood they live in.
Still, even the most polished CV cannot fully capture who someone really is. A person might be great today and terrible tomorrow, or vice versa. Many HR managers would probably agree that describing a person’s real character is not always easy. In the end, the truest measure of worth comes from delivering on promises, judged by the satisfaction of those who benefit. The value of anything lies in how much good it brings to the greatest number of people.
In a chaotic world, goodness is supposed to emerge from those in high positions at any moment. Often, information deemed valuable is not approved by those who could benefit from it, as authorities may reject it outright without even checking its validity. Ordinary people are frequently pressured into accepting whatever comes from authority without question.
Pain and hardship have led many to shy away from the responsibility of seeking truth. It takes a strong‑willed person to stand up for honest information. The greatest strength anyone possesses lies in knowing their true identity, for this awareness frees them from the roots of their captivity. Once a person understands who they truly are, they begin to open themselves to the truth.
When Jesus asked His disciples about His identity, He knew that people had distorted ideas about human origins. At the time, many did not even know their own identities. But it was not yet the moment for Him to correct those who were misinformed. Instead, He asked His disciples to test their depth of understanding. Through Peter, they gave the right answer.
That answer might have seemed unusual to most people, yet it was correct, as coming directly from the source. Could we be persuaded to believe that the disciples understood they were also sons of the living God? Possibly, considering Jesus had already taught them to pray to their Father in heaven (Matthew 6:9). However, those disciples might have valued being part of the living God, much like Jesus did, though not everyone saw it that way. The story about Thomas suggests there may have been some individual flaws.
All humans have the potential to be sons of the living God. This is why Jesus indicated that His church would be built on that understanding (Matthew 16:13–20). What sets such people apart from others is that they are sons of the living God, like Jesus, and therefore not under the authority of anyone in this world. Truly embracing the identity of being a child of God transforms a person’s behavior, setting them apart from the ways of the world.
Theoretically, most people accept being called God’s children. But simply claiming the title without understanding its meaning holds no real value. If someone truly sees themselves as God’s child, they cannot entertain thoughts that go against the one they call their Father. When we embrace this identity, we become channels of God’s love. Yet, as long as we insist on identifying primarily with our physical fathers, we continue to represent our ancestors instead.
As God’s children, those who understand this truth follow no one’s orders unless they align with God’s will. In essence, they are no different from Jesus Christ and share the same resourcefulness He had in His time. They may hear others out, but they carefully evaluate the message to ensure it comes from the right source. Jesus taught them that among themselves, no one should hold authority over another.
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and He is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8–12, NIV)
When someone receives guidance directly from the Father, they cannot be led astray. But how can anyone be sure the messenger is truly speaking God’s words? This can be challenging, especially for someone new to the faith. Naturally, appropriate biblical references can help provide reassurance, along with the guidance of the Spirit that is most helpful to the individual. The listener has the responsibility to verify, and there is nothing wrong with questioning the source to gain clarity. People who value honesty aren’t afraid to stand up to anyone when they’re committed to embracing the truth.
A great example is Jesus, who overcame the tempter through His deep knowledge of the Scriptures (Matthew 4:4–11). A child of God delights in quoting Scripture at all times. Honest people do not shy away from tough questions, even when those questions challenge respected authorities. Many shy away from asking such questions, just as those spreading falsehoods avoid answering the considered tough questions. Being open to hard questions with a willingness to change is what separates truthful people from liars.
Dishonest people often dodge persistent questioners, while honest ones encourage them, seeing them as opportunities to sharpen their understanding and reaffirm their position. It is healthy to have your beliefs about faith challenged. Those who honestly value truth are open to rethinking their ideas and letting go of mistakes in the quest for what is real. Liars, however, often cling to human authority, unable to separate their sense of self from their possessions or status.
People are worth so much more than the things they own or the titles they carry. Those who are genuine know their value has nothing to do with material things. Sadly, many still fall into the trap of valuing their possessions over themselves, often chasing status to impress those around them. Pride frequently shapes how we judge the value of a person.
Take someone with a Mercedes‑Benz, for instance—they might think the car defines their dignity, tying their self‑worth to it, thereby overlooking their true value. Some even trade their dignity for money, engaging in corrupt acts under the false belief that it elevates them. Mistaking the physical body for the true self only leaves them in a worse state than the dead.
Hating such people makes no sense—they need prayers the most, for they do not realize how far they have fallen. In the end, we all share in the responsibility for the wrongs of others in this world (1 John 3:16), remembering that sin does not define who we truly are. Jesus was the only man who lived fully aware of this truth, and because of that, He triumphed where we fell short.
Many of His followers get caught up in the illusion that people today are somehow different from Him. Real worship comes from knowing that a person’s outward appearance does not define their true identity. A general manager who understands this could be reassigned as a gardener without feeling devalued. He does not measure his worth by his title or judge his dignity by his rank, but embodies the true spirit of someone genuinely free.
Even after such a seemingly demeaning change, he would still be more valuable than any job description. Just as he was not puffed up by being a general manager, he would not feel diminished as a gardener. Some saw the cross as Jesus’ humiliation, yet He never lost His dignity, except what some people assumed. True dignity is found in the character of the person, not necessarily the position they hold.
Dictators often tie their sense of dignity to their positions of power, but in doing so, they actually diminish it. They crave respect, yet by forcing it from others, they strip away any genuine respect left in their lives. While this might seem like common sense, many fail to grasp this simple truth: no position of authority is more important than the person who holds it. People should value themselves above their titles, making it easier to let go of power when the time comes.
In Africa, Nelson Mandela stood out as someone who seemed to have understood this principle. At the height of his fame as a champion of freedom, he chose to step down from the presidency of South Africa, clearly valuing himself more than the role of being president. This choice is why Mandela remains respected worldwide, even after his death.
By contrast, Zimbabwe’s late former president, Robert Mugabe, saw the presidential position as more important than himself. He could not imagine life without the title of President and placed the office above his own dignity. Despotic leaders often crave positive publicity, pouring money into public relations to uphold their image, instead of genuinely embodying the qualities they want others to believe they possess.
For those in the know, Mugabe’s downfall was no accident but rather a long‑anticipated turn of events. The same people who kept him in power for thirty‑seven years were the ones who took him down, causing his legacy to fade quickly. In the end, he died a bitter man, denied the Heroes’ Acre burial he deeply valued. To him, the presidency mattered more than his legacy.
His story is just one example, but it mirrors anyone in a physical body trying to put on a false front, unaware of their true self that reflects God’s image. Our physical state is the lowest condition and should never be compared to a person’s spiritual state. Only those who value being God’s children and see themselves as greater than any position or authority truly understand.
Like Jesus, they know that life itself is worth more than anything the world can offer, and such people will never face shame. Sadly, those who mistake the actions of people like Robert Mugabe for wisdom, while idolizing them, often share in their downfall—especially those who value money and material possessions above their own dignity.
The key is not to let the ignorance of others provoke you, but to be motivated by it. Such offenders need prayers more than criticism, for they often do not realize what they are doing. Just as you would not mock a blind person walking toward danger, we should respond to such people with compassion. Our worth in this world is measured by the positive impact we have on others.
True value lies in helping those who are “blind,” hoping they regain their sight, and nothing is more important than being a light‑bearer. Sometimes offering help can cost a life, but when you value being a child of the living God, you see yourself as more precious than anything the world can offer—and unaffected by death. After all, things are not always what they seem.
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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