The name of Jesus is likely the most recognized in all of history. Even among other dominant religions, it stands out—much as it did when His opponents could not ignore Him despite rejecting His teaching. His name carries unmatched power and fame, and yet His teachings remain deeply unpopular. The very existence of countless denominations bears witness to this drift from the core message of Jesus.
If His words were truly lived, division would give way to unity. If Jesus walked among us today, He would still be a controversial figure, just as He was in the first century. The controversy stems largely from self-centeredness. Genuine Christianity implies that a disciple cannot be viewed as different from Jesus Himself. He confirmed this when He said that whatever was done—or left undone—for one of His brothers and sisters was done to Him (Matthew 25:40).
To be counted among His brothers, one must follow His teachings alone, without adding or taking anything away. Yet, for the sake of convenience, Jesus is often elevated to a remote Trinitarian concept rather than being present among those who truly call themselves Christians. The most important truth in Christianity is that no one but Jesus should be regarded as the ultimate authority; everything spoken by others must be measured against His words.
The rich man in torment begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers so they would avoid the same fate. Abraham’s reply cuts through every generation: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:27-31). Humanity’s stubborn streak persists, except for the few who are somehow freed from its chains.
This stubbornness is why Jesus spoke so bluntly about the cost of discipleship. Large crowds were traveling with Him, and He turned to confront their shallow enthusiasm: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:25-27). He then compared discipleship to a builder estimating the cost of a tower or a king assessing whether his army can face a stronger foe.
His point was unmistakable: “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33). True Christianity is not a casual addition to life; it demands everything. In that light, the story of David and Goliath is often misunderstood. Goliath was not defeated by David’s skill or courage; he was defeated by God. David declared, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).
Goliath never grasped that he was facing the invisible God. David, standing in God’s name, represented the Unseen, not himself. In the same way, the authority of Jesus—though unseen—is reflected through genuine Christians. Opponents who accused Jesus of serving Beelzebub were no different from those who oppose God’s true servants today. Faith, not reckless action, sustains Christianity, and true faith comes from living out Jesus’ teachings consistently.
One of the greatest dangers to that faith is walking in darkness—both outwardly and inwardly. It sounds like common sense to say darkness can lead to deadly mistakes, like stepping on a venomous snake. But the deeper meaning is that people are left uncertain of their path, relying on luck instead of certainty. Peter vowed to stand by Jesus, yet faltered when it mattered most—a mistake many still repeat.
The Spirit of truth gives courage to those convinced of what is right, even to the point of death, but that courage is sustained only through a genuine connection to God. Prayer is central to that connection, yet it is widely misunderstood. Many spend their time praying for good health, career success, or passing exams—requests focused almost entirely on themselves.
I do not intend to mock, as Elijah once taunted the prophets of Baal, but those who take their faith seriously might reflect on Elijah’s experience to examine their own spiritual standing. The Baal worshipers shouted from morning till noon, danced, and even slashed themselves until blood flowed, “but there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention” (1 Kings 18:26-29). Their frantic display did not reach God. In the same way, accessing the throne of grace does not require emotional strain.
Jesus taught what prayer should be. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… go into your room, close the door and pray to your unseen Father… do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:5-8). Prayer is not about persuading God to change His will to fit ours; it is about aligning our hearts with His. Even in the Lord’s Prayer, nothing focuses on personal desire. “Give us today our daily bread” points not merely to physical food but to God’s sustaining word, whether written or spoken spiritually.
The emphasis on physical needs often creates distance between God and His people. Temptations creep in when one drifts from His word, and prayer anchors the heart to godliness rather than worldliness. A Christian is a new creation—living in the world but no longer belonging to it. Thinking one is automatically safe after receiving the Holy Spirit is a dangerous misconception. Staying close to God requires prayer and regular fasting above all else. Studying the Bible matters, but nothing outweighs honest, dependent prayer and fasting.
When truly connected to God, understanding His will becomes natural: what angers Him will anger you, and what brings Him joy will bring you joy. Christianity begins with discovering your true identity, as shown in Matthew 16:17-18, and that changes everything. You no longer belong to the world, and seeking its approval is incompatible with being God’s child. His children are strangers here.
The real test of staying on track is how little you rely on worldly acceptance. God’s children do not seek media attention or push themselves into the spotlight. Although different from those of this world, they blend in, just as Judas had to use a kiss to identify Jesus, who did not look different from His disciples. It is disheartening to see Jesus’ teachings misrepresented by those who embrace the idea of Christianity yet never truly experience conversion.
Jesus warned plainly: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
The core issue is God’s will, which has nothing to do with favorable circumstances. In the Lord’s Prayer, the believer seeks, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Living according to God’s will is an intense spiritual battle because it constantly clashes with human will. It rarely leads to an easy life. In a country as corrupt as Zimbabwe, some so-called Christians claim divine protection while living comfortably, when the majority suffers under poor governance.
Church leaders may urge followers to submit to corrupt authorities, but common sense rejects the idea of mingling God’s will with corruption. Many congregants seem entranced, unable to think for themselves, viewing God’s will only through the eyes of bishops. True Christians devote themselves to God, not to earthly leaders, and they discern His will directly.
Only a deceiver would promise an easy path when living by God’s will—this was the very reason Jesus was crucified and why the early disciples faced persecution and death. Nothing has changed: those who follow true Christianity will not find an easy life, no matter what the pretenders claim. Paul expressed the tension powerfully: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21-24).
Life in this world is not meant for a believer’s comfort; it is meant for sacrificial service, for the benefit of others, instead. The warning light shines on those whose desire to remain on earth is solely for their own gain, which they mistake as God’s blessings. True Christianity is costly and often unpopular, not because Christ is unknown, but because His full teaching is resisted. The way of discipleship remains the narrow road—abandoning self-interest, refusing to blur the line between good and evil, and walking in the light of His word alone.
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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