Creating a Personal Worldview

Personal Worldview

Every day, when we watch the news or read a newspaper article, countless stories of violence, crime, wars, and disasters confront us. Historically, literacy is at an all-time high, yet education does not appear to encourage goodness in the world. Because of this, my belief is that it is evident that the greatest contribution a person can make to the world is living their life as Jesus did. There are several reasons for this. For example, when an individual models the behavior of Jesus Christ, it promotes peace on earth, success in life, and a positive impact on humanity. Believers, as well as many non-believers, hold Jesus Christ in high regard and appreciate and value the principles by which He lived His life. Even those who are not Christian or who do not believe Christ was the Messiah can see how the teachings He provided can encourage people to love one another and work together to make the world a better place. Those are all good things.

In spite of whether Christ truly existed or whether His presence was actually divine, it is clear that the nature of Christ in the New Testament is the premier example of moral living. This can be applied to everyday life, and should be applied to everyday life, in an effort to ensure that people learn to live their lives properly and with value to themselves and others. There are many things a person can do in order to live his or her life like Christ, and one of the most significant of those is to be a peacemaker and avoid confrontations, fights, and angry exchanges. Jesus did not organize any armies or promote violence in the name of God, nor did He ask any of His disciples to do so for him. Many people believe that His teachings, if observed and followed, would make this world a better place and lower the level of fighting and the number of wars that are seen around the globe. One can see the glory of God in the loving, compassionate attitude of Jesus and his teachings.

This is especially true in the statement: "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:19). It is no coincidence that Christians, during the first three centuries after Jesus, were almost exclusively pacifist. Maximilian, beheaded as a conscientious objector for refusing to join the army, exemplified this by asserting, "I am a Christian and cannot fight." When one examines the pacifism of Jesus' deeds, it can be indicated that those Christians who have killed in God's name did not live up to the teachings of Jesus. It was not that Jesus was never angry or thought that people did something wrong, but only that He did not believe being violent toward those people was the answer. Violence begets more violence, and fails to provide any measure of peace for any of the people involved in the skirmish.

Jesus did not approve of violence nor did He desire it, vehemently speaking against the use of force by saying: "You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds" (James 2:18). The gospel not only addresses the issue of avoiding violence, but gives us an understanding of our purpose. Our vocational calling is a central part of our lives on this earth, and is a significant issue when it comes to how our lives are lived. Acting in a way that embodies the message of Jesus Christ can establish a firm foundation for success in both personal and professional life. Living life as Jesus did consists of maintaining values such as integrity, courage, selflessness, and more. Our Savoir can be referred to as the one in the control tower, steering us away from storms and trouble spots. We are called to be stewards of the talents, gifts, and opportunities that we have received from God, and to use those peacefully. As long as we are abiding by the example that was set by Jesus, God is equally pleased by the plumber who happily serves the community and the president who prudently leads the nation. In Christ, people recognize that they do not have to earn God's love.

Knowing that we are connected to Jesus because He died for us, and understanding that God created us and loves us even though we are sinners, provides a true form of confidence, which can also translate into success. Occasionally, people come across an individual who makes an impact upon them. As a positive influence for good, Jesus is such a person. He is the reason why so many men and women throughout history have been pacifists and have attempted to do what was morally right and just in their careers and their personal lives. For example, the founding fathers were devout Christians who believed in Jesus, so their love of justice and equality permeates the United States' Constitution. Jesus Christ has given society something that no one else could. He gave us something to hope for and live for, as well as a code of conduct which every son and daughter of God should live by: all individuals should treat their brothers as they treat themselves. If all people lived like Jesus, there would be no wars, poverty, or crime. There is no doubt that living the way Jesus did would have a positive impact on the world.