I found this article online (lifehack.org) so I found it interesting to share but please note that this post doesn't seek to promote any religion over the other. Please continue reading: Aside from being the Savior for Christians and even a prophet for
Muslims, Jesus was a revolutionary figure who challenged traditions,
religion, and beliefs. He was one of the first thought-leaders who inspired the
world. Whether you are a Christian or not, here are 21 life lessons you can
learn from Jesus:
1.
Be clear with what you want.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks,
receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door
will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus knew
that clarity is one of the secrets to success. Be deliberate in living your
life. Be clear with what you want to achieve. Know what to ask for and how to
ask for it.
2. When you find “it,” take the leap.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” — Matthew 13:44-46
2. When you find “it,” take the leap.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” — Matthew 13:44-46
When you
finally find your life’s purpose, your mission, or your own dream, take a
chance and take a leap in faith. You may or may not make it immediately, but
you will definitely make it. The joy and fulfillment are also in the pursuit.
Everything else is just icing on the cake. Jump into your purpose!
3. Be forbearing and love those who criticize you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye
and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is
evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him
as well.” — Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray
for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on
the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense
will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your
brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?” —
Matthew 5:44-47
When we
are being pushed, it’s more natural for us to push back. It’s difficult not to
fight back. But, when we pull them closer to us instead of pushing them back,
imagine the surprise. There would also be less conflict. Besides, it’s more
rewarding to love those who cannot love us back. Always respond with love.
4. Always go beyond what is required.
“If anyone wants to go to law with you over your
tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one
mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not
turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” — Matthew 5:40-42
Always go
the extra mile—in your career, in your business, in your relationships, in your
service, in loving others, and in everything you do. Pursue excellence in all
your undertakings.
5. Keep your promises and be careful with what you say.
5. Keep your promises and be careful with what you say.
“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’”
— Matthew: 5:37
“By your words you will be acquitted, and by your
words you will be condemned.” — Matthew 12:37
There’s an
old proverb saying, “Before you speak once, think twice.” Your words have power
over your life and the life of others. Always be truthful in what you say and
be trustworthy with your promises. When in doubt with what to say, say words
of love.
6. How you look at others is a reflection of how you look at yourself.
6. How you look at others is a reflection of how you look at yourself.
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you
judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be
measured out to you.” — Matthew 7:1-2
If you
measure others’ success based on their finances, chances are that’s also how
you measure your own success. If you measure their success based on their job
titles, chances are that’s also how you measure your own success. Do you need
to change the measure you use?
7. Follow the Golden Rule.
7. Follow the Golden Rule.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.”
— Matthew 7:12
This is
all the life lessons from Jesus combined. In fact, this is probably Jesus’s
most popular lesson for Christians and non-Christians alike. What do you want
others to do to you and for you? Do the same to them and for them. No matter
what you believe in, you can never go wrong with the Golden Rule.
8. Forgive others… countless times if you need to.
8. Forgive others… countless times if you need to.
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your
heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither
will your Father forgive your transgressions.” — Matthew 6:14-15
“Then Peter approaching asked him, ‘Lord, if my
brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’”
— Matthew 18:21-22
Unforgiveness
weighs down not only the unforgiven person, but also the person not giving his
or her forgiveness. Set others free by forgiving them and, ultimately, you set
yourself free. Also, just like how you make the same mistakes over and over
again, allow others the same room to make the same mistakes. Besides, nobody is
perfect, right?
9. You cannot please everyone. Move on.
9. You cannot please everyone. Move on.
“Whoever will not receive you or listen to your
words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.” —
Matthew 10:14
“Jesus came to his native place and taught the people
in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, ‘Where did this man get such
wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named
Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all
with us? Where did this man get all this?’ And they took offense at him. But
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of
their lack of faith.” — Matthew 13:54-58
No matter
what you do or no matter how hard you try, you cannot please everyone. Not
everyone will believe in you. In fact, the people closest to you may also be
the people who do not believe in you the most as well. Move on and spend your
best energy and your best effort for people who do. It might hurt at first, but
that’s better than slowly letting yourself and your dreams die.
10. Prove your worth through your works, not your words.
10. Prove your worth through your works, not your words.
“Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a
rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be
cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” —
Matthew 7:17-20
We often
tell others that we are more than they think we are. We live in a results-based
world. Instead of just saying that we are more, let us be more, take action,
and deliver results. That will be more than enough proof to them. Don’t just
say good things. Do good things. Don’t just declare your big dreams. Take
action and make them a reality.
11. Take the road less travelled.
11. Take the road less travelled.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide
and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it
are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And
those who find it are few.” — Matthew 7:13-14
The
majority’s decision is not always the right decision. Vox populi, vox dei (the
voice of the people is the voice of God) is not always true. Not everyone is
willing to go the extra mile to serve others. Not all companies are willing to
give the best service and the best experience to their customers. Most of the
time, doing the right things mean going against the flow and doing what’s not
popular. If you are taking the road less travelled, you must be on the right
road.
12. Whatever you are feeling, spend some time in isolation.
12. Whatever you are feeling, spend some time in isolation.
“When Jesus heard of John’s execution, he withdrew in
a boat to a deserted place by himself.” — Matthew 14:12
“After the feeding of the multitude and dismissing the
crowd, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he
was there alone.” — Matthew 14:23
No matter
how you are feeling, whether you are feeling anxious or accomplished, always
find time to connect with yourself. No amount of other people’s encouragement
can lift you up if you keep on bringing yourself down. Also, spend time alone
to find the deepest desires of your heart — unadulterated by other people’s
agenda. In the deepest, unadulterated desires of your heart lies your purpose
and your mission.
13. Be persistent.
13. Be persistent.
“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at
midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine
has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he
says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you
anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of
their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his
persistence.” — Luke 11:5-8
When you
are persistent, not only do you shake other people and even the heavens up. You
also shake yourself up by becoming clearer with what you really want. Keep
moving forward no matter how many times you have stumbled or been rejected.
14. Pruning hurts, but it is important to your growth.
14. Pruning hurts, but it is important to your growth.
“He takes away every branch in me that does not bear
fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” — John
15:2
Why spend
time on things and habits that do not deliver results or make you grow? Taking
away some habits like watching TV and even some unhealthy relationships hurts a
lot. But, it is required if we want to achieve our dreams and if we want to
grow. Most importantly, pruning is required if we want to bear more fruit in our
lives. Let go of the things and even people that do not bring you closer to
your dreams.
15. If you want to give genuinely, give in secret.
15. If you want to give genuinely, give in secret.
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order
that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your
heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do
not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving
may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” — Matthew
6:1-4
A test of
genuine giving is when you give without expecting any praise or recognition in
return. Also, you can only feel the deep joy in giving when you give without
anyone knowing. Give in secret and give anonymously. You will grow in
generosity and gratitude that way.
16. Wherever you spend your money on, you value.
16. Wherever you spend your money on, you value.
“For where your treasure is, there also will your
heart be.” — Matthew 6:21
When you
spend your money on charity, you think more about helping others and making a
difference. When you spend your money on your education, you think about your
growth and personal development. When you spend your money with your loved
ones, you think more about them and spending time with them. Be careful where
you spend your money. Money has value for a reason. Spend it on things you
deeply value.
17. Use it or lose it.
17. Use it or lose it.
“For to everyone who has, more will be given and he
will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken
away.” — Matthew 25:29
What is
your passion? What is your God-given talent? Always sharpen the saw and use
what you have been given. If you don’t, you will grow rusty and you might
eventually lose it. If you are good at writing, write. If you are good at
numbers, keep computing and analyzing. Don’t rob the world of the one thing
that only you can do.
18. Stop worrying and live for today.
18. Stop worrying and live for today.
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and
the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or
reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single
moment to your life-span? Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care
of itself.” — Matthew 6:25-27,34
Yes,
saving for the rainy days (and retirement) is very important. But, the present
is all we truly have. Learn how to be more present by letting go of your
worries and anxieties for tomorrow. Just do your best this very day and trust
that tomorrow will take care of itself. Live your life one day at a time.
19. If you want to be great, serve.
19. If you want to be great, serve.
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” —
Matthew 23:11-12
Think
about the great people who lived like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa,
and Gandhi. They are forever immortalized because they lived their lives in
service to others and to what they believe in. Also, the greatest companies in
the world like Apple are the ones that serve the most through their products.
The more you serve, the greater you will be.
20. Let go of differences in denominations, religions, and beliefs.
20. Let go of differences in denominations, religions, and beliefs.
“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone driving
out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow
us.’ Jesus replied, ‘Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty
deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not
against us is for us.’” — Mark 9:38-40
This is
simply true,
21. At the end of the day, it’s all about love.
21. At the end of the day, it’s all about love.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the
greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the
first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as
yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” —
Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus
summarized all 613 commandments in the Old Testament into two. Jesus knew that,
at the end of the day, all that matters is love. Love goes beyond scriptures,
religion, race, and beliefs. Why trouble ourselves with our differences? At the
center of it all is love. Even scripture says, “God is love.” Just like the
Golden Rule, you can never go wrong with love. Let love be at the center of
your thoughts, your words, your dreams and aspirations, your actions, and your
whole life.
Bonus lesson:
Bonus lesson:
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s
life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13
Are there
people in your life you love so much that you are willing to die for them? When
there is someone you love more than yourself, it’s the best feeling in the
world.
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