What Each ONE of Us Can Learn From the Character and Life of Jesus

Article Title: What Each ONE of Us Can Learn From the Character and Life of Jesus
Submitted by Craig Lock
Key Words: Christianity , Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, inspiration, empowerment
The submitter's blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22 and http://craiglock.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!)

"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 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.

What does the name JESUS mean to YOU?

The unique character (and spirit) of Jesus:

Jesus's:
* Compassion for his fellow man (and especially those in difficulty, facing hardships)
* Supreme Love for humanity (as well as His utmost level of 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

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act - it is an attitude of mind."
- Dr`Martin Luther King, Jnr

"The noblest revenge is to forgive."- Thomas Fuller, English author (1608-1661)

If I don't forgive my enemies, I deny my right to have power over them."- Martin Luther King or Robert Kennedy??

"The greatness of a nation consists not so much in the number of it's people,or the extent of it's territory, as in the extent and justice of it's compassion."

- Inscription at the Horse Memorial in Port Elizabeth, for horses killed in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

"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."craig

* 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)
* 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: Jesus accepted people as they were and chose to be, yet continually encouraged others to be all they could BECOME.
* Charisma (and poise)
* 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.
* 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 JUDGING now, craig!)
* 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.
*
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 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
* Patience (endless). 'Time to work on that one now, Craig!'
* Courage (= Heroism)
* Indignation (he got very angry at times with injustice - not towards him, but others)
* Reverence (for God and others, treating the lowest with dignity)
* Definiteness of purpose
* Holiness (Divinty)
* 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

"My belief is in the God who gives us responsibility for our own actions, who I see in Jesus Christ, who stated and showed in his own life that His purpose was to give quality of life."

- Michael Templer (in a letter to the New Zealand Herald)

For me Jesus is a model to aspire to, a hope to pin on, even to cling to, someone on which to pin our highest (supreme) characteristics…and the loftiest goals, values and aspirations. In short, the very best in life, the very highest virtue of humanity. The name and spirit of Jesus symbolizes endless possibilities… and each one of us is invited to partake in and share His Infinite Spirit.

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 the pinnacle of His supreme values.... and in that sense He is still with us.

Shared by craig ("Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"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."
- Craig Lock (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."- Phillipians 3:14

"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

"What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other... and how we live. Only when we can say, 'I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi'ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh...' will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. "

"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"

THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

God, expand my spirit and reveal to the world your living spirit of faith , hope and especially love .

Give us forgiveness for the past, strength for today… and hope for the future.”

craig

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