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Like most people, I’ve always had a strong innate sense of morality and an understanding behind the beauty of religion. However, it wasn’t until later in life that I began exploring the texts and mythology behind it.
After watching Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ for the first time, I feel I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the lessons they convey. My reflections are not meant to assert any absolute truth but rather to share my personal interpretation, shaped by the film and my own experiences.
Who was Jesus from Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth is referred to as the Son of God in the Bible. In a sense, this can hold some truth, as we are all children of God, the creator of this world. We are all part of His creations and designs in one way or another.
The question of whether Jesus truly existed in real life is difficult to answer without definitive proof, though his name is mentioned across cultures. Personally, I believe it’s very possible that he did exist. However, the most important aspect isn’t necessarily his historical existence but rather the profound message he conveys.
I can also understand why, in some religions, Jesus is viewed as a Prophet or the most tangible representation of the Divine. If we accept the idea that we are created in the image of God, it aligns with our innate ability to perceive the Divine and to seek ways to bring harmony to the world around us or heaven into existence.
What is the message behind Jesus and his sacrifice?
The message of Jesus Christ serves as both a metaphorical and literal guide to the ideal way of being, offering a path for humanity to achieve peace and harmony on earth.
It represents the highest possible values for human beings, deeply connected to morality and the principles of proper action needed to cultivate both inner and outer harmony.
Having lived on three different continents and spent significant time with people from various cultures, I can attest that Jesus’ teachings are universal. The principles he preached are present in many people, even among those who aren’t Christians or haven’t studied religious texts although there can be some minor variances.
Perhaps this reflects something innate within us, or it may be a perspective we can develop by contemplating the depth of humanity and the nature of the world.
Why was Jesus crucified?
In the biblical narrative, Jesus was crucified to atone for humanity’s sins, a concept that is both metaphorical and literal in its significance.
By living the most moral life and willingly accepting suffering for a greater cause, Jesus sets an example of how to embody truth and align with the higher, invisible dimensions of existence that go beyond what we can measure.
In the physical world, it is likely that Jesus was crucified because he was perceived as a threat to the existing powers and authority. These authorities were evidently corrupted, with those in power primarily focused on preserving their own positions and control. This is why, in the Bible, the pursuit of power and materialism is often depicted as a corrupting influence, which is definitely true in real life as well.
In essence, Jesus takes on the role of a martyr, representing the better angel of our nature. He leads people toward harmony by becoming a symbol of suffering for the ultimate truth, independent of beliefs about the afterlife, heaven, or even the resurrection.
Why God let this happen?
The dichotomy behind why God allowed His son to die reflects perhaps the broader contrast between harmony and balance.
In the spiritual realm, the inner world of humans operates on the highest values of morality and harmony, while the physical world functions within a framework of balancing opposing forces of creation and destruction.
The creator, God, made a perfect world in the sense that humans are born with the ability to have consciousness and morality, which help them balance their desire for power with the pursuit of divine beauty. In other words, humans have the free will to seek power at the cost of their spiritual well-being, or to prioritize the spiritual world over material gain.
Whether the physical world is merely a test or whether an afterlife in heaven or hell exists is, in some ways, irrelevant, as embodying these two different perspectives already creates heaven and hell here on earth for ourselves and the people around us.
Why Christianity and harmony are challenging in the real world?
In a materialistic world, where all resources are finite— including time, attention, gold, and others—competition inevitably arises as people vie for access to these resources and seek to monopolize them.
Ideally, people would take only what they need, and there would be an abundance of resources for everyone to thrive. The problem, however, is that fear and insecurity drive certain individuals to disrupt this balance, seeking to monopolize resources and create inequality, whether through economic means or warfare.
This is exactly why we are endowed with inborn morality and divine understanding—to prevent us from engaging in such selfish actions. This is also why life has a beginning and an end—so that people don’t spend their time accumulating resources that will ultimately be left behind, even though many now strive to pass them on to their descendants.
The truth is, if you focus on material pursuits rather than promoting harmony, you will ultimately destroy the harmony within yourself, your close relationships and your descendants, as exemplified by the story of Cain and Abel. This path leads to alienation.
On the other hand, focusing solely on spirituality can sometimes result in being victimized, starved, exploited or destroyed in the physical world. However, since we are unsure of what happens in the spiritual realm, this highlights the need for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While a balance of forces is necessary for the Divine Drama of life to unfold and give life meaning, it is ultimately up to each individual and their free will to choose their path, whether it leads to heaven or hell on earth.
Who are the sinners of our world?
A reference to children
Sinners in the physical world can be compared to children who act selfishly, not out of malice but from a lack of understanding and maturity. Their behavior stems from not yet having integrated a higher sense of spirituality or a deeper awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings. Just as a child may act impulsively, unaware of the consequences of their actions, individuals who stray from moral paths may not yet have developed the wisdom to recognize how their behavior impacts others or their own spiritual growth.
This lack of integration often reflects an immaturity of the soul, where one has not fully aligned their physical actions with the higher values of compassion, empathy, and selflessness that come with spiritual awareness. The journey to overcoming sin, then, becomes one of spiritual growth—learning to transcend the ego, embrace a higher moral compass, and act from a place of understanding and harmony.
Greed as the main cause
Sinners can be found in many forms and places, from those who monopolize resources for their own gain to individuals who manipulate attention in order to accumulate wealth. In both cases, these individuals engage in actions that prioritize self-interest at the expense of others, driven by a desire to control and accumulate what is finite.
Those who monopolize resources often exploit systems, whether in business, politics, or society, creating inequality and hindering others from accessing what they need to thrive. This can manifest in unethical business practices, unjust economic systems, or the hoarding of essential resources. Similarly, those who monopolize attention, particularly in the age of social media and modern advertising, use others’ focus as a means to boost their own financial or social standing, often disregarding the well-being of others in the process.
Both actions are rooted in a lack of awareness or disregard for the greater good, as they exploit what is given to us for mutual benefit—resources, time, and attention—for personal gain. These behaviors represent a disconnect from spiritual values such as generosity, empathy, and harmony. When we fail to recognize the interconnectedness of all individuals and the finite nature of the resources around us, we perpetuate a cycle of greed and imbalance that harms both the individual and society as a whole.
Family Loyalty and the Moral Cost of War
Sacrificing morality for the benefit of our family or clan often lies at the heart of conflict and war. When individuals or groups prioritize the survival, prosperity, or dominance of their own over universal moral principles, it creates a cycle of competition and hostility. This mindset justifies actions such as exploitation, deceit, and violence in the name of protecting or advancing one’s kin, even at the expense of others’ well-being.
Over time, these localized acts of self-interest escalate, as competing groups retaliate and expand their efforts to secure resources, power, or safety. The result is a breakdown of trust and cooperation on a larger scale, leading to conflicts between tribes, nations, and civilizations. This willingness to abandon shared values for the sake of familial or communal loyalty fuels division, perpetuates cycles of vengeance, and undermines the possibility of lasting peace. True harmony can only be achieved when morality transcends tribal boundaries and becomes a guiding principle for humanity as a whole.
How to balance building wealth and Christianity
What if morality isn’t something to transcend, but rather something to embrace and incorporate into our lives?
Balancing the pursuit of wealth and Christianity can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor, as it requires aligning your financial ambitions with your spiritual values. Here are some ways to approach this balance:
1. Align Your Values with Your Actions
Christianity emphasizes values like compassion, generosity, integrity, and humility. When building wealth, consider how your actions can reflect these values. Instead of focusing solely on personal gain, ensure that your financial pursuits are aligned with the greater good.
• Be ethical: Choose business practices, investments, and work that respect the dignity of others.
• Prioritize people over profits: Ensure that your decisions reflect your Christian values, not just the bottom line.
2. Generosity and Giving
The Bible teaches that wealth should not be hoarded, but shared to help others. Practicing generosity can help you maintain a balanced perspective on wealth.
• Tithing: A common practice in Christianity is giving a percentage of your income (often 10%) to the church or charitable causes. This can help you stay grounded and ensure you’re using your wealth to serve others.
• Charitable giving: Beyond tithing, look for opportunities to give back to your community, whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or supporting causes that resonate with your values.
3. Financial Stewardship
Christianity encourages being a good steward of the resources you are given. Building wealth is not just about accumulating money, but about using your wealth wisely and responsibly.
• Budgeting and saving: Manage your finances with care, making sure you’re not wasteful or reckless in your spending.
• Investing wisely: Consider ethical investments that align with your values (e.g., supporting sustainable businesses or social enterprises).
• Avoiding greed: Stay vigilant about not allowing the love of money to become your primary focus (1 Timothy 6:10).
4. Seek Balance and Contentment
The Bible reminds us that true contentment comes not from material wealth, but from living a life that reflects God’s love and grace. It’s important to strike a balance between ambition and gratitude.
• Set priorities: Focus on what truly matters—faith, family, relationships—rather than just wealth accumulation.
• Practice contentment: Remember that God’s provision is enough, and true wealth lies in spiritual abundance rather than material possessions (Philippians 4:11-13).
5. Work as a Calling
View your career or business as a calling from God. Whether you are building wealth through your own company, a job, or investments, see it as a way to serve God and others.
• Work with purpose: Recognize that the work you do can glorify God, whether it is directly connected to ministry or not.
• Serve others through your work: Focus on how your work can improve the lives of others, whether it’s by providing jobs, creating value, or helping the community.
6. Avoid the Pitfalls of Materialism
Christianity warns against idolizing wealth. It’s essential to maintain a healthy relationship with money, understanding that it is a tool, not a goal in itself.
• Guard against materialism: Recognize that wealth is temporary and doesn’t define your worth or identity. Keep your priorities rooted in your faith.
• Trust in God’s provision: Recognize that your security and fulfillment come from God, not from accumulating wealth (Matthew 6:19-21).
7. Integrate Faith into Business Decisions
Let your faith guide your decisions when it comes to your financial life.
• Honesty and integrity: Always operate with truthfulness, even when facing opportunities that might offer shortcuts or dishonest gains.
• Treat others with respect: Whether you’re dealing with clients, employees, or competitors, approach each interaction with love and respect.
Balancing wealth and Christianity isn’t about choosing one over the other. Rather, it’s about integrating your faith into every aspect of your financial life. Build wealth in a way that reflects God’s values, prioritizing generosity, ethical behavior, and stewardship. By doing so, you can achieve financial success while maintaining spiritual integrity and living a life that honors God.
The Hierarchy of Interests: From Self to the Divine
Personal interest < Family interest < National interest < Individual sovereignty < Divine purpose
In this hierarchy, the national interest should always consider the individual sovereignty, because individuals are the foundational units of society. A society or nation is built upon the well-being, rights, and freedoms of its citizens. If the national interest disregards the individual, it risks dehumanizing its citizens, turning them into mere tools for the state rather than acknowledging their intrinsic value and unique needs.
1. Personal Interest: This is the individual’s most basic level of concern, focused on survival, personal happiness, and fulfillment. It is natural for individuals to seek what is best for themselves, but the pursuit of personal interest can be destructive if taken to an extreme. In a healthy society, personal interest must be balanced with ethical considerations and an awareness of the collective good.
2. Family Interest: Family is central to human life, and the care for loved ones is a priority for most people. However, the well-being of the family should not come at the expense of the rights or well-being of others, including individuals from different families. Family loyalty should not justify unethical actions that harm outsiders or other communities.
3. National Interest: The national interest refers to what is best for a country as a whole—its safety, prosperity, and success. However, the national interest cannot justify sacrificing individual rights or freedoms. The well-being of individuals should be considered when national policies or laws are made. A nation that disregards the needs and rights of its citizens is a nation that is potentially on a path toward oppression or tyranny.
4. Individual sovereignty: The individual is at the heart of this hierarchy because without individuals, there is no nation or society. Every individual has inherent worth, dignity, and rights that must be respected. The collective good (whether at the family, national, or societal level) must always take into account the impact it has on the individual. If the national interest demands sacrifice at the cost of the individual’s well-being, it undermines the very values that make a nation just and humane.
5. Divine Purpose: The highest level is the divine purpose, which transcends individual and national interests. However, it is important to note that divine purpose does not demand the oppression of the individual for the sake of a larger goal. Instead, divine purpose calls for the integration of individual rights and the common good, ensuring that the pursuit of truth, justice, and compassion honors each person’s inherent dignity.
The Role of the Individual
In this structure, the individual cannot be sacrificed for the national interest because individual rights, freedom, and well-being are what allow a nation to truly thrive in a moral sense. A nation that ignores or exploits the individual for the sake of national goals is betraying the values it purports to uphold. The well-being of the individual must always be a priority, even when making decisions that affect the larger society or nation.
In a just society, individual interest is not seen as something that opposes national interest but as something that contributes to it. A society that respects and upholds individual rights fosters creativity, innovation, and ethical leadership, which are essential for the long-term success and prosperity of the nation. Thus, national interest should serve to enhance the freedom and dignity of the individual, not suppress it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, from my perspective, the teachings of Christianity offer timeless lessons that remain relevant in the modern world. From the call to live with compassion, humility, and integrity, to the challenge of balancing spiritual and material pursuits, the message encourages individuals to seek harmony within themselves and in their interactions with others.
While the specifics of faith and belief may vary across cultures and individuals, the core principles of love, selflessness, and truth continue to guide and inspire people towards a more meaningful and balanced existence. Ultimately, these teachings remind us that the path to peace and fulfillment lies in aligning our actions with higher values, whether in this life or in the pursuit of something greater.
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