Article Title: What Each ONE of Us Can Learn From the Character and Life of Jesus
Submitted by craig
Key Words: Christianity, Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, inspiration, human potential, empowerment, breaking down barriers, building bridges
Web sites:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 (Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)
Publishing Guidelines:
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
WHAT CAN EACH ONE OF US LEARN FROM THE CHARACTER AND LIFE OF JESUS
Here are some traits/points/characteristics on the “person”, that was/is Jesus that I’ve collected, as I’ve studied his life. No matter whether you believe or not (and no matter how “secularly” you may think), I hope these qualities may be helpful. Perhaps even inspirational to you too…
in your work and in your life.
THE CHARACTER OF JESUS
He was compassionate, humble, meek and mild…yet masculine, strong and bold*. Definitely something many timid and “wimpish” members of the “churchy” fraternity don’t seem to follow that characteristic/trait (“stirrer” and no judging now please, c!).
“Be bold and unseen forces come to one’s aid.”
That’s one of my favourite quotes!
He treated the poor with respect, children with love and tenderness, and accepted ALL the way they were. Jesus displayed the utmost integrity in his short life. He was pure, selfless, sinless with immeasurable mercy, love and grace.He always saw the best in people, calling (inviting) them to be the highest (best) they could become.
Jesus said: You shall know people by the fruit that they bear: fruits like compassion, justice, righteousness, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and so on.”
*
The unique character (and spirit) of Jesus:
“When our charm wears off, one needs character.”
Jesus’s:
* Compassion for his fellow man (and especially those in difficulty, facing hardships)
* Supreme Love for humanity
* Kindness and compassion
* Selflessness (and unselfishness)
* Strength (he was definitely not weak, nor timid, as many people believe, through teaching ‘turning the other cheek’ to mistreatment)
* Honesty (was totally honest, truthful with people, yet kind)
* Sincerity (absolute integrity)
* Spirit of FORGIVENESS
“When you forgive (another person or country), you empty your mind of negative thoughts (perhaps even thoughts as strong as hate). Then the infinite Spirit of God makes a fresh space in our hearts to allow new positive feelings to take their place.. to pour into our hearts. The ‘freed’ person then moves forward with a new spirit…which takes root in people’s minds, hearts, spirits and even in the deepest recesses of their souls.”
– me
* Firmness (when required – as in overturning the tables at the money-changers in the temple)
NB
* Faith (Trust in God): Jesus often prayed to God, the Father asking Him for help to accomplish what he couldn’t do on his own (something each one of us can apply in our own ‘little’ lives, as one of us have access to the Ultimate Source, when things get too tough for us to handle on our own). That’s when God turns the seemingly “ordinary into the extra-ordinary”…and “little miracles” happen in our lives!
* Security in his beliefs and himself, no matter what others thought.
* Optimism (he was the greatest “Possibility Thinker” who ever lived!)
* Reasonableness
* Lack of judgement (better heed that one, c!): Jesus accepted people as they were and chose to be, yet continually encouraged others to be all that they could BECOME.
* Charisma (and poise): “When our charm wears off, one needs character.”
* Originality (his creativity)
* Mastery of communication – (the “KISS” principle – getting his message across in a simple, yet creative way through telling parables).
* Enthusiasm
* Passion (for God, “the Father”, fellow man and especially the truth).
* Breadth and clarity of vision (which gives power). Jesus Christ had a vision of God and a ‘grand vision of man’ which set the nation and the world on fire.
“Without a vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs
* Honesty (absolute): “You shall know the truth…and the truth shall set you free.”
* Virtuousness: he was the only man, who ever lived who was without sin.
*
He:
* Liked having fun (had a good sense of humour – not like so many “goody goody two shoes straight churchies” – NO MORE JUDGING now, craig. Strike three and you’re out!)
* Treated all people equally and with the dignity they deserved (women, as well as men), no matter how lowly a person’s station in life
* Was attractive and ‘manly’ – a very good-looking, masculine man!
* Developed good habits, like rising early
and set aside time for prayer, contemplation and meditation
* Rested and removed himself from situations, when he got exhausted.
* Thought the highest thoughts – always expecting the best in others.
* Tested his own limits (as a human being living on earth*), but believed in the “seemingly impossible”. “
* on earth he lived as no more than a man!
What with man was impossible , but THROUGH God, The Father ALL things are possible.”
#
He was:
* Never a ‘bore’
* Always true to himself and his highest values (ie. living a life of absolute integrity)
* A great encourager (supporter) of people
* A “free spirit”, his “own man”
* Self-reliant for his own motivation…
yet he enlisted the co-operation of others to achieve worthy common goals
* Honourable and fair to everyone
* Respectful to the humanity in every person he met.
* The greatest “Possibility Thinker” who ever lived: Jesus expected miracles to happen … and they DID!
He had:
* Good time management skills to fit in what he accomplished
(pushing himself to exhaustion at times, so took time out to rest as needed)
* Infinite Wisdom and Insight
* A great sense of Purpose – he knew what His life was all about
* A sense of Chivalry
* Generosity (Infinite) towards his fellow men and women (more time spent on others than giving away money, of which he had little, like us writers!)
* An attitude of Gratitude and joy (gladness)
* A strong will – great will power
* Humility
“If the Lord makes you successful, I’ll keep you humble.”
– a wife (I won’t say whose!)
* Patience (endless). ‘Time to work on that one now, Craig!’
“Lord, give me more patience…but I want it right NOW!”
* Courage (= Heroism)
* Indignation (he got very angry at times (eg overturning the tables of the money-changers in the Jewish Temple). He became especially angry with injustice – not towards himself, but others)
* Reverence (for God and others, treating the lowest with dignity)
* Definiteness of purpose
* Holiness (Divinity): Yet on earth he lived as no more than a man!
* Greatness
and finally, he possessed
* God’s (His Father’s) Supreme Grace.
“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.”
– Oliver Goldsmith
“Jesus is a soul with a body.”
In Jesus God became man. Jesus, “Author of Reconciliation” was the human face of God. He was totally human, yet also totally divine.
No matter what each one of us may or may not know and believe about the person of Jesus Christ, who lived 2000 years ago, each one of us has the power to CHOOSE to aspire to His supreme values…. and in that sense He is still with us.
Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)
PS:
“True success is just being the person you really want to be.”
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the often seemingly difficult or even “impassible”) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”
“Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; but significance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itself in what you ARE and BECOME down the ‘river of life’ – how and the spirit with which you face, then overcome the daily obstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along the often rocky path-way of life’s magical and mysterious
journey. Light your path brightly.”
-craig
“Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life (and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and especially love…and it lies within each one of us. Through your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted by a candle at midnight.”
– me (as adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in ‘Conversations with God Book 3′).
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
– Hebrews 12.1
“I press towards the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14
About the Submitter
Craig likes (no loves) to share information and insights to encourage others to be all they are capable of being.
He believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share is way more important than what divides us. In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down social, cultural, economic, political and religious barriers.
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” (including his various books on “the spiritual journey” and Jesus) are available at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage … and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials. Change YOUR world and you help change THE world… for the better”
“Let us reach for the world that ought to be, that spark of the divine, that still stirs within each one of us.”
– the words of Barack Obama in accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway
Lord (God), expand my spirit and reveal to the world your living spirit of faith, hope and especially love .
craig
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PPS
“Don’t tell people so much about Jesus; but rather SHOW his Spirit (Infinite) working through your life”
– my good friend, Lindsay (“The Prayer-Warrior and Prophet”)
“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences, our unique cultures, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
– me
“When (or perhaps if ever) you arrive in heaven, let faith, hope and love be the wings that carried you there.” – as adapted from the inspiring words of Jonathan Edwards, former minister in New England, Massachusetts
“The Greatest Race: Living by (with) faith, hope and love is the highest podium any person can reach, God’s podium that anyone stand on.”
– craig
“Having pursued the goals, the dreams set before us and run the race with persistence and endurance, after giving it all. Then one day standing on the summit of life, breathing in the pure sweet oxygen of achievement, totally satisfied in running the greatest race, the race of life one that ANYONE can run and win.”
craig 11/11
from The Chequered Flag, a book by craig
Click on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMA1eYdLZLM
Also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhAghiP-5Fk
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQI5LtRtrb0
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
Beyond the Zone: God and The Spiritual Journey 