Colossians 3:2 encourages us to set our minds on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns. Jesus is our perfect example—He never conformed to the ways of the world. At just twelve years old, He surprised even His parents by dedicating himself to His Father’s work. As Christians, we should not see ourselves as fundamentally different from Christ. One of the greatest challenges we face is the hierarchical mindset, in which believers aim to please the pastor as the head of the church, effectively placing the pastor in the position of Jesus.
Many people focus on worshiping Jesus—rightly so—but forget that He came from God yet was born in the flesh like us. His purpose was to serve as our model, not merely as an object of distant worship. No one should claim not to be from God, for being made in God’s image directly counters the idea that humans belong to this world. Still, many struggle to truly accept the concept of godliness. When Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16), it was an extraordinary statement.
Jesus affirmed that His church would be built on this understanding (v. 18). His church is made up of those who identify with Him. Once given the Holy Spirit, the disciples became children of God, just as Jesus was God’s Son. The only difference is that Jesus remains the only one resurrected so far. After receiving the Spirit, the disciples—and we who follow—no longer belong to this world.
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood” (1 John 4:5-6 NIV).
The apostle John spoke these words because he had ceased to belong to this world. He indicated that the primary way to differentiate between those of this world and those sent by God is through popularity. People of this world are often popular and well‑received, while the Spirit of truth is typically not embraced here. In contrast, the spirit of falsehood tends to be well accepted. Therefore, it is misguided to expect easy acceptance when presenting God’s truthful messages to those of this world. However, readers should not be led to believe that everything rejected—even when accompanied by clear evidence of falsehood—is automatically from God.
Truthful information comes directly from its source. For example, imagine ten people witness an event and share their accounts. Nine of them agree on what happened, while one offers a different perspective. It is common to assume that the majority represents the truth. Yet the majority may be mistaken, while the lone witness could be telling the truth. Conversely, the majority might accurately describe the event, and the single witness could be spreading falsehood. This situation complicates our understanding of truth.
Ultimately, no truth surpasses what comes directly from the source. A person makes wise judgments when they rely on the source for accurate information, rather than relying on democratic principles or the perceived credibility of witnesses. A truth‑seeker remains open‑minded until they can verify the information from the original source.
Nothing else provides the fundamental source of truthful information in this world. This differs from assuming that information is always true when it comes from trusted informants. Truth lies in information that comes directly from its source. No wisdom is considered greater than this perspective. It is always better to question—even your own parents. Jesus suggested that one should be willing to renounce relatives to follow Him. A person is truly a Christian only when they have faithfully applied what Jesus taught.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NIV).
A truthful person makes judgments based on their own understanding and verification, rather than relying solely on information from others. Jesus taught that only the truth—confirmed as coming directly from Him—can set people free. Therefore, something is considered true only after it has been validated by the original source, in alignment with Jesus’ teachings.
As the Bible warns: “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have trained their tongues to lie; they tire themselves with sinning” (Jeremiah 9:4-5 NIV).
But, was the apostle John being truthful when he said, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us”? Indeed, John was expressing the truth based on his connection to Jesus, who came from God. Until that point, only Jesus had claimed to come from God. Yet the apostle John spoke with confidence when making this statement. His assurance stemmed from being an instrument of Christ, who used him accordingly, just as He used the rest of the disciples.
John and the other apostles had ceased to be of this world by embracing God’s word and receiving the Holy Spirit—given to those committed to living by it, as Jesus explained in John 14:15‑21. This may not persuade those who don’t believe in the Bible, which Jesus affirmed as truth in His final prayer for the Church (John 17:17).
At one point, His opponents tried to stone Him after He declared that He existed before Abraham. Jesus based this claim on the belief that humans, made in God’s image, had existed before Abraham (Genesis 1:26‑27). He also engaged in a tense debate with the Pharisees, who strongly rejected the idea that He was God’s Son.
“You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” (John 8:41-46 NIV).
These arguments remain relevant today and highlight the ongoing divide between those focused on worldly values and those who follow God. Essentially, the values and beliefs of the secular world cannot align with those of God. The confidence with which Jesus confronted the Pharisees is also exemplified by John and reflects the stance of today’s true Christians. This should not be mistaken for arrogance; rather, it stems from a firm assurance in following Christ’s teachings.
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds (John 8:57-59 NIV).
Their limitation lay in their failure to distinguish between being created in God’s image and being born into this world. This misunderstanding stemmed from their inability to differentiate between godliness and worldliness. Although they had the Scriptures, they never took the time to truly understand them. Their failure to compare what Jesus taught with what was written in their Scriptures was rooted in arrogance; they assumed they knew better than Jesus. The hierarchical structures of their institution seemed to be their main obstacle.
Jesus’ background could not be associated with anyone who presumed to know better than they did. There is nothing complicated about Jesus’ teachings, except when considering the idea of hierarchical superiority. Within the rigid hierarchies of their institution, Jesus was regarded as a nonentity. Yet if we are created in God’s image, how could they not see themselves as the sons of the living God, just as Jesus was?
“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” Again, they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp (John 10:33-39 NIV).
Jesus quoted a powerful passage from the Book of Psalms: “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High’” (Psalm 82:6). What does it really mean to call someone just a mere man? Can Scripture truly support the idea that those made in God’s image are simply ordinary? If we believe humans are created in God’s likeness, can we honestly label them as “mere men”? This question feels even more pressing when we think about someone who has performed miracles, showing they are more than ordinary.
Calling oneself a child of God is, in a sense, putting oneself on the same level as God. While it may seem unthinkable to see anyone as equal to Him, it remains true that people are made in His image—even in their sinful state. In the parable of the prodigal son, he did not initially see himself as the child of a wealthy father; he saw himself through the shame of his sin. Only after facing his misery did he remember the riches and love of his father.
When he returned home, the prodigal son planned to ask for work as a servant, believing that was all he deserved after going astray. This shows the humility of a truly repentant heart. He did not expect to be welcomed back as a son, but rather to take a place even lower than that of the loyal servants. Yet his father met him with open arms, embracing him once more as his beloved child.
Unlike Jesus, a person who repents of sin is like a prodigal son before being accepted by the Father. Without the attitude of a prodigal son, one would be foolish to call oneself God’s child. Only after having been welcomed by the Father and sealed by the Holy Spirit would one then assume the identity of God’s child. This becomes a reality when such a person has sincerely embraced everything understood as coming from God.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:16-20 NIV).
It is essential to understand that God does not reveal everything at the moment of repentance. Learning is a progressive journey; as Peter states, we must continually grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Christianity involves being developed by Christ toward perfection. As the Bread of Life, Jesus serves as a stable foundation for those committed to their Christian faith. He encourages us to be open to learning and correction at every stage of our spiritual journey.
There is no room for arrogance after grasping one or two doctrinal principles. Jesus assured those who have faithfully demonstrated their commitment to follow Him that they would not be left as orphans; both He and His Father would be with them. Jesus will guide them throughout their Christian walk, as long as they maintain humility and a willingness to learn.
Some may find what Jesus said to one of the criminals crucified alongside Him perplexing:
”We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:41-43 NIV).
Like the prodigal son, the criminal was promised paradise before even the disciples who devoted themselves to God’s principles, and certainly before the Pharisees who clung to legalism. His reward was not for his crimes, but for his humility, even as he faced just punishment on the cross. Jesus was aware that the man had not fully understood the teachings of Christianity, but He valued his repentant heart. This shows that God’s children should never doubt their relationship with Him, no matter their sins.
True Christians embody the qualities of the apostle John, confidently proclaiming their connection to God. As stated in 1 John 4:5 (NIV), “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.”
The clear distinction between those who belong to God and those of the world is that individuals from the world can never truly be friendly with those from God. However, it is not the responsibility of God’s children to determine who is on the Lord’s side and who is not. The rough treatment they experience from the world serves as an essential learning curve, shaping them into the righteousness of God.
Humans cannot know who qualifies to be in God’s Kingdom and who does not. Many people opposed Jesus, even to the point of His crucifixion, yet some later were converted. Jesus’ own brothers struggled to understand Him, despite being blessed with a blood relationship with Him. During His ministry, those relatives often mocked and ridiculed Him.
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him (John 7:3-5 NIV).
When seeking the truth, it becomes evident who God’s children are at any given time. It is important to let God work with worldly individuals. Therefore, we are instructed to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. The foundational belief is that God is the ultimate source, and His word is the truth. As long as we approach our faith with humility and avoid dogmatism, we align ourselves with the Lord. In today’s world, godliness is often regarded as a crime, just as godliness views worldliness as a crime. The key difference lies in the grace and patience exemplified by the cross of Jesus.
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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