The life, teachings and influence of Jesus Christ

Apr 14, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
THE life and influence of Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ, has, throughout history, always produced great changes in the lives of men and women and of all nations.
Wherever His teachings and influence have gone, there has been a multitude of other changes that have been made for the good of mankind. Individual lives are also dramatically changed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. His works throughout His own time as teacher, healer, and His overall purpose for existence have influenced many.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17)
We must ask ourselves some serious questions about life itself. Questions such as: Who am I? What is my purpose in this world? What can I do to contribute to society? What is my destiny after I am gone from this life? Jesus came to offer the world answers to life’s deep spiritual and moral questions. He came to save all mankind from sin, and to offer us life after death.
Jesus said to her (Martha): “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believe in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26. We see the effect of His teachings in the Bible, and how His morality has shaped the minds of many good people.
Jesus began His ministry by announcing: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” His calling was based on the vision of the Kingdom of God. He shared this vision with ordinary people, fishermen and tax collectors; and seeing their potential, shaped twelve of them into a team. Jesus demonstrated His character as a servant leader, and when faced with opposition and conflict, responded with humility and integrity.
Was that His mission? His mission was to guide us and to let us know Him. It also was to show us a better path, full of truth, so that no one who believes in Him is lost. It also was to show and to remind us of the love of His Father and what He wants for us.
Jesus Christ came to redeem humanity from sin. Jesus came to deliver truth in a world of false beliefs. Our greatest need is a spiritual need, which we cannot fulfill with the gain in this life, such as profits or pleasure, but by lasting peace in Christ. His mission was to change our way of thinking, so that we would know the love of God. He came, driven by an immense love, to suffer for us and to purge our sins, showing us how to live. He came to live in this world to complete His mission, which was to suffer and die for our sins on the cross.
Right now, He is in us, so we can follow His path — full of love, like He showed us — to have a better life, to obtain the glory in the eternal life, and to follow the commandments that He left us.
Jesus’s life and teachings influenced some of the greatest men who ever lived. His Sermon on the Mount influenced the great Mahatma Gandhi. In the words of Gandhi, he said about Jesus: “A Man who was completely innocent offered Himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” — Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political leader (1869-1948).
Mother Theresa said the following about Jesus: “I believe in person-to-person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.” — Mother Theresa.
“Jesus Christ was an extremist for love, truth and goodness.” — Martin Luther King Jr.,
These are just a few people. The illustrious Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to over one billion people around the world face-to-face. He is one of the greatest preachers and international scholars, and is still alive today at age 98.
One of the greatest scientists of our time, who is widely studied universally, said the following about Jesus: “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Jesus is too colossal for the pen of phrase-mongers, however artful”. He further added: “No man can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus.” — Albert Einstein – Scientist and Mathematician.
Today the Gospel of Jesus Christ has produced over one billion followers and believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to teach us the philosophy of love and forgiveness for all. Charles Dickens, one of the greatest English novelists, said these profound words about Jesus: “I commit my soul to the mercy of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I now most solemnly impress upon you the truth and beauty of the Christian religion as it came from Christ Himself, and the impossibility of going far wrong if you humbly but heartily respect it.” — Charles Dickens, British writer, 1812-1870.
holy season.” God bless you all.
Rev.Gideon Cecil

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