When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy that aspiring to be an overseer was a noble goal, he echoed a sentiment that could just as easily describe a politician drawn by a desire to bring order out of chaos. Good and bad pastors exist; so do good and bad politicians. Both deal with people who, at times, need constant guidance. Paul’s advice to Timothy was especially suited to those who had not yet fully embraced the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Yet Jesus told His disciples that leadership titles were unnecessary, urging them to look to Him alone as their teacher (Matthew 23:8-12). In the spiritual realm, no external supervision is needed when people truly accept Jesus as their sole guide. A community shaped by Christ does not operate like worldly institutions. The same Paul who instructed Timothy about overseers and deacons also taught that all believers are equal:
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29, NIV).
Being Abraham’s seed means that, like Abraham, a person concerned isn’t led by any earthly authority but receives guidance directly from God. It is curious how some pick and choose which Scriptures to follow. Verses about equality among believers are often sidelined, while passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-13 are magnified — presumably to preserve church order, even when they appear at odds with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:8-12)? You cannot honestly claim to follow Christ while clinging to worldly values.
Jesus never instructed anyone to adopt titles like “Christian” or “Pastor”; He taught that all are equal as brothers and sisters. Titles tend to foster a sense of superiority, much like the labels draped on politicians — MP, Minister, Councillor. This mindset cultivates blind trust, allowing so-called “Men of God” to abuse their roles under the cloak of divine authority. Politicians, similarly cast as “chefs,” may use power to intimidate the vulnerable, who stay silent for fear of being cut off from the elite. In the end, everyone stands equal — a truth death makes undeniable.
Who would have imagined that the grave of the late President Mugabe would become an object of dispute, even threatened to be desecrated by a local chief? Life is short, fleeting like the morning mist. In the Old Testament, the Israelites sought prophets for guidance, and wise kings listened to them in order to lead well. Even the greatest rulers were expected to submit to God’s will through the prophets for the people’s good.
The nation prospered when its king heeded true prophets; it faltered when deceived by false ones. The history of those monarchies swings between good and corrupt rulers, depending on their level of obedience to God’s laws. Yet the nation could have avoided so much wickedness if individuals had simply followed God’s commands on their own. God’s laws never change, and the concept of monarchy was never His idea to begin with.
When the people demanded, “Give us a king to lead us,” Samuel was displeased and prayed to the Lord. The Lord answered: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. … Listen to them, but warn them solemnly about the rights the king who will reign over them will claim” (1 Samuel 8:6-10).
Many are surprised to learn that Jesus never identified with Christianity; even as He instructed His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ (Matthew 16:20). The term “Christian” was first used mockingly toward His disciples after He was gone, carrying no sacred weight. Jesus never commanded His followers to adopt that label, nor did they invent it to define themselves.
“And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26, NIV).
Jesus’ followers were expected to live by His teachings, without adding or taking anything away from His teachings. In return, He promised them the Holy Spirit, setting them apart from the world. These disciples would become God’s children, just as Jesus was the Son of God, even if the world failed to recognize them as such.
The label “Christian” can be misunderstood, because a label is never the proof of reality. While someone who truly lives by Christ’s teachings may rightly be called a Christian, not everyone who claims the name actually does. Jesus made this painfully clear:
“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, NIV).
Calling out such charlatans “Christians” allows no special treatment, even when their seemingly noble deeds are done in His name. They can be likened to politicians, known to abuse ordinary people for their own benefit. Certainly, some politicians mean well, just as some pastors genuinely care for their congregations. The real issue is imagining that holding a leadership title makes someone fundamentally different from everyone else.
Jesus was seen as controversial among the Jews precisely because He held no official rank. That unsettled those who saw only an ordinary man, despite His extraordinary insight. Jesus never tried to set Himself apart or be seen differently by the people of this world. Judas Iscariot had to single Him out with a kiss because He looked no different from His followers.
The decisive difference between authentic and counterfeit leadership lies in self-interest versus selflessness. Corrupt politicians work hard to present themselves in the best light before the public, and so do fake Christians. The gullible are easily swayed by eloquence and worldly trappings. As a result, both dishonest politicians and phony Christians find a ready embrace among the easily deceived populace. True Christians labour to spread God’s message, yet they are often the most disliked and unrecognized.
Fake Christians and politicians, together with their business allies, cannot truly love genuine followers of Christ. Shady politicians and false Christians share one defining trait: they try to undermine the truth by discrediting honest messengers. They crave public praise for their supposed achievements, measuring themselves against ordinary people. Their so-called righteous acts are just a performance meant to win public approval.
Some people chase the spotlight and feel threatened by those with greater gifts. When Jesus comes, they hope to be counted worthy of reward for their Christian works, but He will know their true intentions. This reveals how harmful selfishness is, and how good altruism can be — though altruism is often rejected because it shifts attention away from self and toward others.
If Jesus had treasured the “Christian” label, He could have avoided the cross. Similarly, well-meaning politicians are those who may face prison for standing with marginalized communities, sometimes dying while pursuing their goals. Such people are often ridiculed for championing ideas that serve others, exposing the false assumption that Christians should avoid politics. True Christianity is demonstrated by actions, not by any label.
An altruistic person, like the Good Samaritan, sacrifices personal interests to improve others’ lives. They take joy in seeing others thrive, without jealousy when someone else is recognized ahead of them. These qualities come naturally to those who understand the fleeting nature of physical life. Even a fulfilling earthly existence pales beside the promise of eternity — so why should one cling to temporary things over the certainty of everlasting life?
All human beings — whether politicians, professing Christians, or seemingly successful businesspeople — are destined to perish. It is far better to live a life where you might be ridiculed than to fall into the trap of enjoying adulation as if you were a god. The late President Mugabe’s refusal to relinquish power, even when toppled by his own generals, was rooted in pride. Having been excessively praised, nothing could convince him to step down.
True common sense is found in humility, not in pride, which may be the deepest form of foolishness. Yet common sense is rare among the proud, who forget that death and obscurity await everyone. Pride is simply another word for stupidity, though the proud mistake it for wisdom. They see themselves as wiser than others, making it impossible for anyone to persuade them otherwise. During his nearly forty-year rule, Mugabe never considered that he might be acting foolishly.
His close associates cheered him on, only to betray and degrade him in his old age, seizing power for themselves. Only a wise person can recognize such behaviour for the folly that it is. Those who are enlightened are never surprised when the successors of such leaders behave in exactly the same way. Sadly, once someone starts going down that path, it becomes almost impossible to turn back for the better. It is a downward spiral toward an inevitable end.
Biblically, one might compare this to David’s actions after his adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. David tried to hide his wrongdoing by arranging Uriah’s death, which only drew him deeper into sinful behaviour. Desiring to conceal his sin, he unintentionally opened the door to more wrongs. Fortunately for him, he later repented and was shown God’s mercy.
The final days of David’s reign were far from glorious and lacked the admiration of the common people. But what makes David stand out in God’s eyes is his humility. After recognizing his folly and seeking forgiveness, God pardoned him. Even his closest companions could not grasp the depth of his humility when he was cursed by Shimei:
“And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. … Shimei said thus when he cursed: ‘Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! …’ Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!’ But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, “Curse David.” Who then shall say, “Why have you done so?”’ … It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day” (2 Samuel 16:6-12, NIV).
David demonstrated a kind of humility that remains out of reach for the proud — a humility understood only by those aware of their own flaws. The proud simply do not get it. Of course, no one but Mugabe’s close family knows exactly what state he was in before he died. We can only speculate that being brought so low by his own allies may have been a hidden mercy — the kind of moment that makes a person pause, reflect, and perhaps even regret past mistakes.
His refusal to be buried at Heroes Acre might indicate that he passed away as a man who had found repentance. Life usually follows one of two tracks: pride or humility. A truly humble person cannot really be humiliated. Could anyone have humiliated Nelson Mandela? Probably not. Even when his estranged wife Winnie tried, it did not seem to work. Mandela left this world a free man — flawed, like all of us, but free.
What set Mandela apart from most iconic African heroes was his conscious choice to embrace humility over pride. All authority ultimately comes from God, but the real question is what you do with it — whether in politics, religion, society, or the arts. It’s about using the power you’ve been given to help and serve others, rather than trying to win admiration or attention for yourself.
Everyone is born with some gift or talent from God. The mistake is in chasing the tempting road of pride instead of humility, or in becoming so absorbed in admiring others’ talents that you neglect to develop your own. There is a profound difference between appreciating someone’s ability and envying it. In the end, what counts is how you nurture your own gift to help others — regardless of what title or label is ever attached to your name.
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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