Answer: When God created humanity, He made us in His perfect image, without any flaws, both physically and spiritually. This truth is clearly stated in Genesis 1:27 (NIV): “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” In this state of perfection, Adam and Eve were created to live in harmony with God, experiencing His love, peace, and the joy of His creation. They were endowed with knowledge, the ability to choose, and the fear of God, which would allow them to live in accordance with His will. However, Genesis 3:6 (NIV) records the turning point: Genesis 3:6 (NIV) “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” In this moment, Adam and Eve decided to abandon their trust in God and chose to follow their own desires. Rather than continuing in the perfect state in which God had created them, they sought something else—an independence from God, thinking they could gain wisdom and power like Him. This disobedience resulted in the fall of humanity, and sin entered the world, bringing with it pain, suffering, and separation from God (see Romans 5:12). The theological lesson here is profound: humanity was created to live in perfect relationship with God, but in seeking their own way, they sought to make their own rules, and that pursuit of independence from God’s design led to spiritual death. Romans 3:23 (NIV) affirms this, stating, Romans 3:23 (NIV), “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even today, we continue to see this behavior reflected in human culture. People often try to alter their appearances or even their essence, believing they can improve themselves or achieve perfection outside of God’s original design. For instance, many alter their skin tone, use makeup to change their features, or undergo surgeries to reshape their bodies. These are modern versions of the “many schemes” or “inventions” mentioned in Ecclesiastes 7:29, as people seek ways to redefine their identity according to their own desires rather than accepting the way God created them. This desire to change oneself is a form of rejecting God’s perfect creation. In Psalm 139:14 (NIV), the psalmist declares, Psalm 139:14 (NIV), “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” To reject how God made us is, in a sense, to reject God’s work and wisdom in creating us. The ultimate theological truth is that God’s plan for humanity is for us to embrace who we are as His image-bearers, and to live in a relationship with Him. The more we seek to change ourselves based on worldly standards, the more we deviate from God’s perfect design. In Romans 12:2 (NIV), we are instructed: Romans 12:2 (NIV),“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation happens when we align our lives with God’s will, accepting ourselves as He created us, and living in accordance with His purpose for us. Rather than searching for solutions in “many schemes” or inventions, we are called to trust in God’s original design and find contentment in living according to His will. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) reminds us, Ephesians 2:10 (NIV),“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Shalom.
Greetings in the name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us reflect together on His words. In the book of Matthew 7:28–29, we read: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” These verses reveal that the teachings of Jesus were vastly different from what people of that time expected—and even from what many people expect today. Scripture says the crowds were “greatly astonished” because He spoke with authority, unlike the scribes. What does it mean that Jesus taught “with authority”? A person with authority speaks decisively, without twisting words or sugarcoating the truth. For example, when a president gives an order—“This project must be completed in two weeks”—there’s no room for negotiation. His command carries weight, and those under him must comply. Similarly, Jesus did not come to speak in uncertain terms. He spoke plainly, directly, and truthfully. In the surrounding verses of Matthew 5–7 (the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus contrasted His teaching with that of the scribes and Pharisees, who mostly focused on Jewish traditions, appeasing people rather than pointing them to wholehearted devotion to God or warning them of the consequences of sin. “You have heard that it was said… but I tell you” Throughout His ministry, Jesus asserted His divine authority: Matthew 5:29: “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”The scribes would never dare speak like this. Jesus was willing to call people to radical sacrifice—abandoning sinful habits, ungodly relationships, or anything that hinders eternal life. Luke 14:27: “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.”He demanded complete allegiance, even above family ties (Matthew 10:37). Matthew 7:21–23: Many will claim, “Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and drive out demons?” Yet He will reply, “I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7:13–14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” These are uncompromising words, highlighting the eternal consequences of disobedience and the urgency of repentance. Jesus Still Speaks With Authority Today Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). His words remain authoritative. Yet many today misinterpret His direct teaching as judgmental or harsh. People prefer soft, comforting words—messages like, “Jesus loves you, just be a good person and you’ll be fine.” This was the approach of the scribes: avoiding hard truths for fear of losing their followers. They would not warn people about sin, judgment, or the urgency of living a holy life. They hesitated to speak of the end times, fearing they might scare listeners away. But Jesus, because He truly loves us, corrects and rebukes us when necessary: Revelation 3:19: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” True love speaks truth, even when it stings. If you always hear only pleasant, easy messages, beware—you might not be hearing from Christ but from teachers who resemble the scribes. Identifying True Teaching The real Gospel confronts sin, calls for repentance, and prepares us for eternity. Jesus never flattered His listeners. He spoke with authority because He came to save us from sin’s destruction, not to make us comfortable in it. Maranatha – the Lord is coming soon! Please share this message with others. Contact for prayers, service schedules, counseling, or questions:+255693036618 / +255789001312 You can also receive these teachings via WhatsApp or email by messaging the same numbers. Key Takeaway “Soft-worded gospel will cost you everything.” True love warns of danger and points to the narrow road leading to life (John 14:6).
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only true God, who came down in human flesh to redeem us (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16). There are certain things Jesus did during His earthly ministry that may seem unexpected to us. While it’s true that He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), He did not make salvation superficial or automatic. He made it available, but He also made it clear that the path is narrow and must be sought with sincerity (Matthew 7:13–14). Jesus Didn’t Reveal Truths to Everyone Equally Unlike what many assume today, Jesus wasn’t impressed by crowds. A large number of people followed Him wherever He went—some seeking healing, others out of curiosity, and some for miracles. But Jesus didn’t equate popularity with genuine discipleship. He didn’t reveal the deep truths of God’s kingdom to just anyone in the crowd. Instead, He often taught in parables—simple stories that contained deeper spiritual meaning. These weren’t meant to entertain but to filter. They required spiritual hunger and humility to understand. Without that, a person might hear the story, enjoy it, and leave unchanged. “And when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables. And He said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”—Mark 4:10–12 (ESV) Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9–10 to show that many people’s hearts were hardened—they could hear His words but remain blind to their true meaning because they lacked repentance. Salvation Requires a Sincere Heart Jesus doesn’t just save people who listen; He saves those who earnestly seek Him and truly want to understand and obey Him. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”—Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV) This is why Jesus often spoke indirectly. His goal was not just to inform but to transform—and only those who truly desired to know Him would take the time to ask questions and seek deeper meaning. This explains why, after teaching the crowd in parables, He would later explain their meaning privately to His disciples (Matthew 13:10–11). Many Followed Jesus for the Wrong Reasons In Jesus’ day, many who followed Him were merely observers. Some came for miracles (John 6:26), others out of curiosity or skepticism, and others were even spies (Luke 20:20). Few actually followed Him to know Him and receive the truth that leads to eternal life (John 17:3). Today, the same problem exists. Churches are full, and many claim to seek God. But unless a person is personally committed to following Jesus—learning from Him, obeying His Word, and surrendering their life—salvation will remain a concept, not a reality. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—Matthew 7:21 (ESV) Why Salvation Feels Powerless for Some People Some people claim to be saved but continue to live in bondage to sin—sexual immorality, drunkenness, pride, and ignorance of God’s will. They may have attended church for years but still don’t know God’s redemptive plan, such as the Rapture, or even recognize that we are living in the final church age—the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22). They might say, “I know Jesus,” but the evidence is missing from their lives. Even in Jesus’ day, people saw Him, heard Him, and ate with Him—but very few understood His true identity or mission. Only those who sought Him personally had the truths of the kingdom revealed to them (John 6:66–69). Jesus Is Calling for Real Discipleship Jesus is still seeking true disciples—not casual listeners or spiritual consumers. He calls each of us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him wholeheartedly: “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?’”—Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV) If we are not serious about following Christ, then, like the crowds, we will hear His words only as parables—interesting but confusing stories with no personal impact. Let this be a time of awakening. Let us not remain lukewarm (Revelation 3:15–16). Let us seek Jesus personally, diligently, and with all our hearts. That is how we will receive the true salvation He offers. Maranatha—The Lord is coming. Please share this message with others.For prayer, fellowship, or spiritual counseling, contact:📞 +255693036618 or +255789001312 Would you like this formatted into a printable or shareable document?