what in the world does following the way of jesus mean…
I think it means treating yourself and others with loving behaviors…
I don’t think it has anything to do with being rewarded by heaven for being good
Why follow anyone but yourself? What is the literal point.
You can’t control yourself enough alone? You have to rely on some sort of obligation or imprisonment of will? Whoever has to follow someone else to be a certain way, has an obvious weak will.
So it is weak-willed to follow the advice of spiritual masters of the past?
It’s weak will to rely on something else to keep you in line.
You can take advice and use it. But when you let something or someone be the only reason you don’t do or do something, then that’s a problem.
Wise men seek and listen to counsel because others voices are valuable and could be rare. What wise men don’t do is let something solely keep them in line, they can keep themselves in line without the need of it.
Sure, listen to whatever advice you want to listen to. Value it. But don’t let it be the SOLE reason you’re going to do something.
Like it says here. Treating others and yourself with loving behaviors? A wise being will do this regardless of someone else telling or making them do it.
Reliance is weak will. Just like how an addict relies on their daily fix to keep them going. They rely on Jesus to keep them “good”. Which half of them don’t do a very good job anyways. People have the ability to keep themselves in line if they strengthen and follow their will, they choose not to and take the easy way of reliance/obligation/coercion.
If someone ‘wise’ is relying on “Jesus” to be good and then “Jesus” is taken away from them or they stop relying on it and start doing treacherous things. Then they were never wise to begin with. Don’t you think reliance is sort of parasitical anyways? We’re here to be ourselves, not rely and adopt others ways. Isn’t that the entire point of being individual, to not conform?
why be a loving person…whats in it for you
For so many it means to just be kind, caring, defend the defenseless, forgive, accept.
But, its a hard road. Most fail and many try and try. Many pretend, many give up.
We are not identical. I have a fiery temper, I have a brother that is the opposite, I love him dearly. I could go all day listing different behaviors, quirks, issues of so many people and mine. No two people will walk a path the same way, we can only try and be ourselves. Some people are born to be horrible people, genetics and upbringing can do some real bad things. We as a species stumble along trying to learn what not to do by using guides.
but why should we be a loving person…why follow any guides like jesus…what do we get out of it
Philippians 4:6-8
Matthew 6:34
Galatians 5:22-23
phyllo–if I adhere to these three things will I be happier…
Try it. It has worked for people in the past. It may work for you.
does it work for you
You need to stop asking people what they think, feel or do. You need to stop observing the experiences of others and start creating your own experiences.
Nobody can eat a bowl of rice for you.
Live your own life.
do you have a problem talking about yourself…you probably wont answer that…
do you have a problem teaching others how they should behave—don’t answer that
There are some things which cannot be said. I cannot tell you what a banana tastes like… you have to taste it yourself.
I cannot teach you anything… you have to learn by yourself.
All I can do is point to something that has already happened. What you do with it is up to you.
You asked “why follow Jesus?” . I gave you the answer of the people who were closer him than we are. “A Christian is joyful and at peace.”
You are free to believe or disbelieve. You are free to do or not do.
Yeah, I’m not going to talk about my own life. My life is insignificant to you.
We don’t have to follow a darn thing. If it is not for you, don’t do it. I as an atheist, follow what feels right for me. Life is not one size fits all. In some ways I think the despicable people are needed and that they are a vital part of the whole.