“Self-Discovery vs. Self-Improvement (Personal Development)” is an article designed to highlight the distinctions between these two facets of personal growth. What distinguishes self-discovery from self-improvement? The article posits a significant difference: self-discovery involves identifying what sets you apart from others, whereas self-improvement focuses on enhancing that unique self. Read on to explore these concepts further.

What is Self-Discovery?

Self-discovery is a journey to uncover the authentic self. It’s important to distinguish this from career discovery. While our professions and possessions often define us, self-discovery delves into our identity. What sets you apart from others? That’s the essence of self-discovery. It encompasses understanding your true nature, which may involve your career, talents, and abilities, but it primarily focuses on your identity. If you can encapsulate yourself in a word or two, that’s a reflection of who you truly are.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

Self-discovery transcends mere wishes. While it’s natural to aspire to be someone else, self-discovery involves understanding who we inherently are.

Every individual is unique and special. Even a one-month-old infant displays distinct traits. Indeed, it’s astonishing how quickly we recognize the personalities of our children, discerning whether they are extroverted or introverted, aggressive or calm. Restlessness in people can manifest from birth.

In truth, you are acquainted with your authentic self prior to reading this article. Consider the times you’ve thought, “I’ll show him the other side of me.” Such declarations, often made in anger, are revelations of self-awareness. They reflect our true nature, which often diverges from societal or familial expectations.

To know oneself is to be conscious of one’s preferences, capabilities, belongings, vocations, and talents, but primarily, it concerns one’s identity. As beings of both matter and spirit, we possess physical and spiritual identities.

Your physical identity is just as significant as your spiritual one, yet you are the sum of both. Innate characteristics (biological) are as crucial as the lessons learned from life’s experiences (environmental). These experiences, shaped by external factors or upbringing, are influential. Both innate traits and learned behaviors are integral to our being.

What is Self-Improvement?

Self-improvement is the journey of enhancing the self you’ve uncovered. It’s akin to nourishing your mind or soul, fostering the person within. This encompasses activities such as reading, watching, listening, and engaging in tasks that contribute to the growth of your self-awareness.

It’s important to remember that we learn through our senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Similarly, we absorb knowledge by observing, reading, listening, and engaging in hands-on activities. This is the reason these four modalities are incorporated into virtually all online digital learning platforms and settings.

Considering that your physical well-being is just as crucial as your spiritual well-being, nourishing your body is equally essential. Whether you’re reading, listening to an audio clip, observing a speaker, or participating in an activity, you’re primarily feeding your mind. However, the need for physical sustenance is evident; we are well-versed in the ways to nourish our bodies.

Dressing is a way to enhance your perceived self and self-image. Remember, people may judge you based on your attire. Maintaining personal hygiene by washing your body is beneficial for health, as physical well-being impacts mental health. Self-care routines like brushing teeth, taking medication when ill, dressing wounds, and general self-maintenance are all facets of self-improvement.

Music is significant; it’s vital for mental health, as is playing games. Social interaction, particularly with those of similar mindsets, is essential. After all, we are social creatures.

Enhancing your self-awareness requires a particular mindset, careful selection of your diet, friends, social groups, and mentors from whom to learn.

If the concepts shared here don’t resonate with your mindset, feel free to disregard them. It’s crucial to focus on what you consume, whether through reading or listening, particularly after you’ve discovered your natural self.

Self-Discovery vs Self-Improvement

At the core of this article lies the distinction between two types of personal growth. Self-Discovery involves uncovering one’s identity, whereas Self-Improvement is the process of enhancing that newfound identity, the true self.

Self-Discovery is a singular event, whereas Self-Improvement is an ongoing journey. Often, there is a conflation of Self-Discovery with Self-Improvement. Many use terms to describe self-discovery that fail to capture its essence.

While Self-Discovery can sometimes encompass career exploration, material possessions, and personal identity, Self-Improvement focuses on enhancing both the self that has been uncovered and the careers identified. However, in my perspective, self-discovery should be addressed as an independent concept, a discipline in its own right.

In some courses, self-discovery is integrated with career exploration, as exemplified by my book, “Your Self-Discovery Guide,” which merges the two concepts. While this approach is acceptable, discussing them separately often leads to a clearer understanding.

Self-Discovery and Self-Improvement are not mandates but rather suggestions and guidance I offer to you, the reader. I do not profess to have all the answers, as that would contradict my fifth principle, openness. Engage with these articles, absorb what resonates with you, and disregard what does not.

I trust you found this article personally beneficial. For a deeper conversation, join me at facebook.com/japshalom or delve into more insights on my blog. I welcome your thoughts in the comments section below. Peace!

Further Readings

• Is Self-Development more important than Career-Development?—KDRrecruitment.com
• 9 Ways to Improve Your Personal Development Skills—Indeed.com
• Personal Development and Career Management—universalclass.com

The article “Self-Improvement vs Career-Improvement (Personal Development & Career Development)” aims to elucidate the distinctions between these two growth processes. While the titles may seem self-explanatory—the former focusing on enhancing one’s personal self and the latter on advancing one’s career—the content delves deeper into these concepts. Continue reading to explore further.

What is Self-Improvement?

Self-improvement is the process of enhancing the self you’ve discovered, a concept within theology that is not tied to religion but rather to social science. This philosophy is beneficial as it encourages you to contemplate how to better yourself and excel before you pursue and refine your passions.

Self-improvement encompasses activities like reading, watching, listening, and engaging in practices that enhance your self-perception. It also involves actions that strengthen your immune system and physical health, acknowledging that your true essence is a fusion of both your physical and spiritual selves.

In “Your Self-Discovery Guide,” I explore the elements that define us physically and spiritually. Two key factors—nature and nurture—play a role in shaping who we are, both individually and collectively, and both are of equal importance.

Improving upon the self you’ve discovered requires time and dedication. In fact, self-improvement is a lifelong journey, contrasting with self-discovery, which is a singular event. You possess a single identity, yet you may embark on numerous career paths.

The term ‘personal growth or development’ is often used interchangeably with self-improvement, but it’s important to note that self-improvement focuses on enhancing oneself, not one’s skills or belongings. Abilities refer to the capacities you have, such as talents, gifts, and various roles.

What is Career-Improvement?

Career improvement is the process of enhancing the professions you’ve discovered, focusing on how to excel in what you’re passionate about. There’s always room to perform your tasks in a better or simpler manner, necessitating career enhancement through trial and error.

As for myself, I juggle multiple roles. I am a teacher, an ICT consultant, a book publisher, an author, and a translator. I must refine my teaching methods, develop superior websites, translate content more effectively, and enhance my books, including those already published. Additionally, I need to advance my book publishing business to increase customer satisfaction.

Career improvement is advantageous both to you and your clients. Your profession serves others significantly and could become your enduring legacy if executed well, given the brevity and sweetness of life. We are here today and may be gone tomorrow.

Your career leaves a mark on this earth, for better or worse. Therefore, it’s crucial to strive for improvement in your endeavors or to completely change them if necessary. If your current career contradicts your identity, don’t hesitate to forge a new path. Embrace it, and you’ll find joy in doing what you love rather than what you don’t.

What is the purpose of this article?

As previously stated, the primary purpose of this concise article is to highlight the distinctions between two processes. You now understand the difference between self-improvement and career-improvement.

But why is it important to recognize these differences? Understanding them ensures you are not left bewildered. Being aware of the key distinctions is beneficial to you personally, as it clarifies the meaning when others refer to either of the two processes.

It is now clear that reading not only enhances your personal growth but also aids in advancing your career. As you read and learn, you grow in both areas. Education is a lifelong journey; we never truly finish learning because as long as we live, learning continues.

The world is in constant flux. What we consider scientific breakthroughs today may become obsolete tomorrow as we uncover more accurate truths, rendering our previous knowledge outdated. This is remarkable as it compels us to continue learning.

My Final Words

Here are my concluding thoughts and personal advice for you. You’ve learned about the distinctions between self-improvement and career-improvement, but the question remains: what will you do with this knowledge?

Remember, knowledge is only potential power until it is specialized and applied. In other words, unused knowledge is worthless. It’s crucial that you take action swiftly after reading this article, lest the knowledge slip away from your mind.

If you find yourself disagreeing with my points, that’s perfectly acceptable and normal. Ensure, however, that your dissent is based on solid reasoning. Constructive criticism is intellectual and welcomed, whereas destructive criticism is insulting and unprofessional.

I trust this article has been of personal benefit to you. We can engage in further discussion at facebook.com, or you can delve into more of my writings at johnshalom.com/blog. I would be delighted to hear from you. May you be blessed and remain safe during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Peace be with you!

Further Readings

• Role of Personal Development in Career Growth—managementstudyguide.com

The article “Self-Discovery vs Career-Discovery” aims to delineate the distinctions between these two concepts. Typically, both processes are considered self-explanatory. In this context, they remain so. Careers pertain to personal abilities, whereas the self distinguishes one’s uniqueness from others. With this in mind, let us delve deeper into the subject.

What is Self-Discovery?

Self-discovery is the journey of uncovering your true self. It may encompass career exploration, but predominantly, it’s about understanding your identity. Every individual is distinct and extraordinary, and so are you. Considering a career discovery test to ascertain your potential career path? It’s an option, but not a necessity.

Self-discovery involves recognizing who you are by nature, not just who you aspire to be. It’s a genuine exploration, not just hopeful thinking.

It encompasses both the physical and spiritual aspects of your being. Attributes like your height, eye color, skin color, and all other physical characteristics contribute to your unique identity, setting you apart from others.

What truly distinguishes you are your inherent nature, mindset, thoughts, speech, and actions. While your nature influences these aspects, it’s immutable. However, you have the opportunity to discover and refine it.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

Discovering your true self requires time and effort, but once achieved, it allows you to live with purpose. God has a deeper understanding of you. You have self-awareness. Your parents or guardians have a better insight into who you are. Your close friends and family also have a good understanding of you. Utilizing all these perspectives can aid in a swifter discovery of your authentic self.

What is Career-Discovery?

A career is about leveraging your unique abilities, gifts, and talents. Therefore, career discovery is the process of identifying your potential careers before you can enhance them. There are numerous ways to uncover your career path. One method is through direct exposure to the career field. Another is by seeking feedback from others about your strengths.

Discovering your career requires time and dedication. Practice enables you to identify your proficiencies. For instance, I wouldn’t have known my aptitude for working with computers had I not had the opportunity to experiment with one.

Personally, I possess various talents and have pursued multiple career paths. I am an educator in theology, ICT, and languages. In the realm of ICT, I instruct on website design using WordPress and navigating Windows and applications on personal computers. My theology instruction is secular, focusing on social science.

Additionally, I teach self-publishing, which leverages technology as a tool. Concepts like Self-Discovery and Self-Improvement are integral to my theology teachings, as are Career-Discovery and Career-Improvement. All these subjects fall under the umbrella of personal development or motivational education.

To embark on your first career, consider why you are drawn to your chosen path. Money is a powerful motivator, an external one that influences many today. While earning money is not wrong, pursuing your passion is truly rewarding. It’s uncommon to see individuals decline job offers because they don’t align with their personal preferences and career aspirations.

Bear in mind, you may be pressured or encouraged to pursue a lucrative career that doesn’t resonate with your true interests. However, heeding your own desires is a sign of maturity in decision-making and living. This isn’t to say you should ignore all advice, but rather that you understand your own life goals better than your parents, siblings, friends, or colleagues.

What is the purpose of this article?

The primary purpose of this article is to elucidate the key distinctions between self-discovery and career improvement. While these two processes are distinct, self-discovery can sometimes encompass career discovery.

Understanding these differences is crucial, particularly for those seeking clarity on the matter. This knowledge is instrumental in making informed decisions and considering these aspects before any confusion arises. Through this article, you will comprehend what sets these two processes apart.

My Final Words

My final piece of advice is that learning only becomes important when it is applied. Napoleon Hill emphasized in “Think and Grow Rich” that knowledge is merely potential power. It becomes power only when it is utilized.

You’ve learned a thing or two about Self-Discovery versus Career-Discovery, but the question remains: what will you do with this knowledge? Are you prepared to embark on the journey of discovering your career? Are you ready to uncover your true self?

Years ago, I discovered who I am. I can summarize myself with one word: peace. This is not an aspiration; it is my current state. I’ve also realized that there are numerous ways to enhance my being, such as engaging with materials that resonate with my sense of self. Additionally, I’ve recognized my unique talents and potential career paths, as previously mentioned.

You have the ability to do the same. You can uncover both your true self and your potential careers, then learn how to develop each aspect. And you can start today. Remember, all things originate from God. Accepting this doesn’t require religious belief.

I hope this article (self-discovery vs career-discovery) has been helpful to you, personally. We can discuss it further at facebook.com or you can read more on my personal blog at johnshalom.com/blog. May God bless you and keep you safe during and after COVID-19.

Shalom!

The article “Career-Discovery vs Career-Improvement (Career Development)” aims to elucidate the distinctions between these two processes. While the terms may seem self-explanatory, it is important to note that Career-Discovery is the initial process, and Career-Improvement follows as the penultimate process. Below, we will explore the differences between them.

What is Career-Discovery?

Career discovery is the process of exploring various career paths. It’s possible to pursue multiple careers throughout one’s life, and even simultaneously. For instance, teaching is my primary profession at the moment. As someone who naturally gravitates towards teaching, I compose these posts and articles to impart my knowledge to the best of my ability.

I am a book publishing consultant, translator, persistent writer, author, motivational speaker, and ICT consultant. I engage in many activities, some for profit and others for pleasure.

You too possess multiple careers, perhaps awaiting discovery.

Career discovery entails exposure to a potential career before recognizing one’s aptitude for it. For instance, how can one ascertain their proficiency with computers without ever having encountered one?

Indeed, while theory remains crucial, practice leads to perfection. The adage ‘practice makes purpose’ resonates with me, and I would be interested in reading a book with such a compelling title.

Indeed, practice is essential not only for honing existing skills but also for discovering new career paths. Often, you must attempt something to realize your aptitude for it. For instance, I never knew I could score a goal in football until I played at a friend’s encouragement in 2008. Although I generally don’t enjoy playing games, including football, I would never have discovered my proficiency if I hadn’t tried.

Sometimes, you might have an inkling of your talents, and trying them out could lead to your next career. In today’s technological world, even activities enjoyed for leisure can evolve into successful careers.

Taking myself as an example, I strive to excel in three areas: theology, ICT, and translation. Through theology, I gain deeper insights into myself, God, you, and the entirety of creation. This knowledge enables me to produce content like this, which I hope is beneficial to you.

In the realm of ICT, I share my processes for creating websites, publishing and marketing books, and earning online income from my work. In translation, I assist others in translating their material into either the Dinka or Nuer languages of South Sudan. Additionally, I educate those interested in learning the skills I am passionate about. I never coerce anyone to emulate me, but I am always ready to teach or share my methods with anyone eager to learn.

Theology, ICT, and translation can serve as both educational subjects and fee-based services. I am capable of teaching theology and utilizing my knowledge to provide services for which people are willing to pay. Similarly, I can instruct in ICT and create IT products for sale. Whether teaching translation skills or providing translation services, compensation is expected in each case.

A career can be seen as both a gift and a talent, terms that generally describe one’s proficiencies. For instance, if someone excels at storytelling, they may be described as gifted or talented, or it may be said that their career is to craft compelling narratives.

While a career implies a professional role, title, or service, talent denotes a unique skill or innate ability. The term ‘gift’ often carries a religious connotation, suggesting a divine endowment. Indeed, it is believed that such abilities are bestowed upon us by a higher power, the Creator.

What is Career-Improvement?

Career improvement involves enhancing the careers one has identified and pursued. As previously mentioned, I am committed to annually refining my current careers, which encompass both teaching and service. In teaching, I instruct others in my areas of expertise, sometimes gratis or for a fee. Similarly, I offer my skills as a service.

Thus, I focus on advancing my abilities in teaching theology, languages, translations, and ICT. Concurrently, I work on enhancing the quality of my ICT, theology, and translation services. This article serves as an example of theological instruction and a service to you, illustrating how my teaching and service careers often intersect.

Once you have identified your career or careers, the subsequent step is to enhance or even alter them completely. Indeed, it’s feasible to change a misguided or fruitless career. However, you may notice that one career consistently accompanies you wherever you go. For me, that career is teaching.

Regardless of my knowledge, my passion is to teach others to be self-sufficient. I instruct individuals on writing, self-editing, self-publishing, self-marketing, and earning online through platforms like Amazon or Smashwords. I also teach self-discovery, which intertwines with theology. In essence, this article on Career-Discovery versus Career-Improvement is an extension of my theological teachings.

Enhancing your chosen career involves learning innovative approaches to your work. Similarly, self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP and Smashwords continually develop new features to enhance their tools’ functionality.

I aim to better my writing skills by increasing the number of books I read annually. Reading is a key strategy to advance my writing career, as I often notice a lack in the self-help books I’ve read. For instance, while many books suggest that we can change ourselves, they usually imply changes in careers or in our vision and mission statements, rather than our inherent nature. I hold the belief that while we cannot alter our core selves, we can certainly discover and refine who we are.

What is the purpose of this article?

The purpose of this article is to elucidate the key distinctions between Career-Discovery and Career-Improvement. The former pertains to the exploration of potential careers, while the latter involves enhancing the careers that have been identified.

Understanding the difference is crucial because knowledge equips us with potential power. It enriches us, even if we do not utilize all of it immediately. Knowledge can be unexpectedly beneficial at any given moment.

Indeed, the article “Career-Discovery vs Career-Improvement” stands out for its clarity. It delineates the connection between the two processes while emphasizing their distinctiveness, thereby dispelling any confusion.

One must embark on career discovery before seeking improvement. While others may guide us in choosing a career, as adults, we ought to be aware of our passions. This is not to say we should ignore advice from family and friends, but rather that we should have a clear understanding of our desires in life.

Moreover, career discovery transcends mere wishful thinking. It involves recognizing and pursuing our innate talents and skills, whether it be in singing, writing, teaching, cooking, driving, cleaning, or any other field.

Remember, it’s common for others to have expectations of you, to want you to be or do certain things, and that’s perfectly normal. Many parents, for instance, may desire their child or children to fulfill their own unmet ambitions. This tendency is a natural inclination present in nearly every human culture.

However, my child is not an extension of myself. He or she is an entirely separate individual, regardless of any resemblance to me. We are two distinct people with our own preferences, skills, dreams, and goals.

As a parent, my duty is to assist my children in discovering their true selves. It’s about guiding them to find their passions and supporting them in excelling at what they love, even if it goes against my personal desires. This distinction between aiding in career discovery and career enhancement is crucial. Our role is to help our children identify and develop their natural talents.

I should not dissuade my child from pursuing an activity unless it poses a significant danger. Often, it is through facing risks that we learn the most valuable lessons. Indeed, experience remains the greatest educator.

I hope this article (Career-Discovery vs Career-Improvement) has been helpful to you, personally. Let’s discuss it further at facebook or learn more about my other writings at johnshalom.com, and may God bless you and keep you safe during and after COVID-19. Shalom!

The conversation surrounding Jesus Christ is prevalent this season among both believers and non-believers. This article is designed to inform you of ten significant reasons why believing in and following this historical figure is essential. It aims to highlight the importance of having a role model in life, and for many, that role model is Jesus Christ. Now, let’s delve into the details of the article.

REASON 1: BECAUSE HE IS THE TEACHER

Throughout history, there have been many great teachers, but none have been held in such high regard as Jesus, also known as the Christ. His name and title alone set Him apart. Even today, billions continue to follow His teachings, often quoting His words, both consciously and subconsciously.

It’s interesting to note that phrases like “rule of thumb” are mistakenly thought to originate from Jesus, when in fact, they do not. Similarly, the Golden Rule is often associated with Him. It seems our world no longer cherishes such a universal rule. Society has shifted towards individualism, which brings its own set of challenges.

The practice of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us has been replaced. Now, it seems we aim to treat others as they prefer to be treated, acknowledging personal preferences. The shift away from collectivism means we no longer subscribe to a set of universal principles that apply to everyone. We recognize that what we desire for ourselves may not be what others desire, leading to a fundamental conflict.

Related: Good vs Evil: Pros and Cons for Modern Humans

Jesus Christ is considered the greatest teacher of all time, and many believe He will forever hold this distinction. His teachings are based on the eternal truth of God. His understanding, knowledge, and wisdom are regarded as just and pure, not aligned with deceit or cunning. He embodies and teaches truth, reflecting His nature as the way, the truth, and the life.

REASON 2: BECAUSE HE IS THE LEADER

Throughout history, there have been numerous notable leaders before, during, and after the era of Jesus the Christ. Figures such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and the renowned David along with his son Solomon, have all been recognized as leaders.

Yet, none have led quite like Jesus the Christ. He led by setting an example with his own life. He embodied the teachings he imparted. He was a man of his word, meaning what he said with conviction. In contrast, humans often fail to mean what they say.

This is why the author of the Book of Proverbs stated, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he,” referring to the nature of the human heart. This verse has since been taken out of its original context. The author’s intent was to counsel a person to dine with moderation when invited to someone’s home.

The concern is that while he is eating, the food’s owner might harbor negative thoughts about his eating habits and subsequently speak ill of him to others. Do you grasp the concept?

In contemporary times, it’s common to interpret certain verses outside their original context, sometimes using the Bible to advance personal teachings and placing ourselves at the center. However, Jesus pointed people toward God, not himself, despite being God in the past, present, and future.

Every human leader has distinct motives and may speak with different intentions. Jesus Christ, however, was a leader unlike any other. Even as Christian leaders, we cannot fully emulate Him unless we wrongly assume authority to divert followers from Christ to ourselves.

Indeed, the Bible states that we are to be as He is in this world (1 John 4:17), but this does not mean we possess His exact form of leadership. He remains unique, and although we may share similarities with Him, we are called to humility, to endure suffering, and to lead by example, yet we will never match His character as mere humans.

REASON 3: BECAUSE HE IS THE HEALER

Indeed, history and various cultures have recognized many true healers, attributed to either divine or malevolent sources. They existed in Egypt and Israel, as well as in surrounding nations. However, none is considered equal to the divine healer, Jesus the Christ, according to Christian belief. This stems from the claim that Jesus is precisely who He professed to be.

Jesus stands unique as a healer who simply spoke, and individuals were completely restored. He cured all manner of illnesses, which, if not true, would render Christianity a myth. If the gospel narratives are mere fiction, then faith is futile. However, if they are factual, as believers assert, then Jesus the Christ is indeed ‘the’ healer.

Many claim to heal in His name today, yet it is believed He will reject many at the Final Judgment. This is predicated on the belief that He is the sole true healer in existence, one who healed gratuitously, in contrast to contemporary practices where people are asked to give in hopes of receiving healing.

In the future, there may be many healers, yet none will compare to Jesus, the Christ. This isn’t a personal belief but a consideration. Imagine, if Jesus truly healed all manner of diseases as the gospels recount, often by merely speaking a word, touching the afflicted, or through unconventional acts like mixing saliva with dirt to anoint someone’s eyes, who on earth could match Him?

Indeed, we might heal in His name, which is both true and commendable, but it doesn’t transform us into Him. We may emulate His ways, but we are not Him. We remain human, simply human. Jesus the Christ was, is, and will forever be God incarnate. Recognizing this distinction is crucial.

REASON 4: BECAUSE HE IS THE PROPHET

Throughout history, there have been prophets who were considered good or bad, true or false. Many existed before Jesus, and many were contemporaries during His time.

Numerous prophets emerged after Him, and many exist today. Yet, Jesus stands out as a unique figure. Some regard Him as more than a prophet, believing He is the Son of God. Others do not subscribe to the concept of a triune deity.

Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is seen as the one who not only predicts the future but also knows and governs it. Therefore, He is referred to as ‘the Prophet’—a title emphasizing His unparalleled nature. Remember the significance of the definite article here; it underscores that there is no one like Jesus Christ, despite the presence of many prophets.

The prophecies of Jesus regarding Jerusalem were realized after His death and resurrection in A.D. 70, roughly forty years later. He foretold of wars, famines, and deadly diseases, akin to the modern coronavirus disease, COVID-19. We assign names to diseases based on our human understanding. However, God comprehends everything from their inception.

Whether COVID-19 originated in a man-made lab, transmitted from certain animals, or was sent by God due to humanity’s reliance on its own knowledge and wisdom, Jesus had forewarned us of such events. Jesus is the prophet, not merely a prophet. His knowledge spans not just forthcoming events but also the entirety of eternity, from the past to the future.

Indeed, long before the advent of modern science, health preventative measures such as quarantine and hygiene laws were already prescribed to the Israelites. Today, practices like wearing face masks and washing hands with soap and water may seem novel, yet they are not new concepts.

It was understood that illnesses could be transmitted from one person to another through close social interactions, like hugging and kissing. For instance, a person might turn away to spit on the road and then shake your hand without cleaning it first.

Furthermore, it is believed that Jesus was aware of all that transpires today. While He once lived as a human, it is said that He exists now in the form of the Holy Spirit and remains alive in heaven with His resurrected body.

REASON 5: BECAUSE HE IS THE KING

If Jesus is the sole leader who died and then rose from the dead, what would that make Him? He is considered the King of kings and the Lord of lords because no other ruler, who reigned and passed away before Him, nor those who followed, have lived, died, and risen again. He alone is the eternal King, living with His real and physical human body in heaven, having broken all the natural laws He Himself created.

If indeed Jesus the Christ rose again, then the question arises: why wouldn’t we follow Him eternally? If He rose, and we believe He did, then He governs both life and death. The Bible proclaims that Jesus the Christ emerged from death and hell as the triumphant King, returning to earth in victory and glory.

Are you aware of what Paul expressed upon witnessing the resurrected Jesus? Or what John, His beloved apostle, did when he beheld Jesus as He disclosed the future of the world? Indeed, these men were astounded; they beheld a figure, a human form unlike any they had ever seen before.

I recall reading a book by Agnes, a renowned preacher of the 21st century, detailing his vision of Satan. He described it as the most hideous creature he had ever seen, one he hoped never to encounter again. In contrast, Jesus appeared glorious and majestic after His death, burial, and resurrection.

Our understanding of what it means to be a king in the 21st century is limited due to various factors. One reason is that many of us are unfamiliar with the appearance or the roles of a king from the past.

Historically, many communities were not ruled by kings. For instance, the Dinka and Nuer peoples of South Sudan were governed by chiefs, resulting in chiefdoms rather than kingdoms. However, by reading the Bible, we can gain insight into the role of a king in ancient times. Alternatively, a visit to the Shilluk kingdom, located across the Nile River to the west of Malakal town, might offer a glimpse into the experience of being under a king’s rule.

REASON 6: BECAUSE HE IS LOVE

Imagine this for a while. If Jesus the Christ offered Himself up to be treated the way He was treated, crucified, died, and buried, just to save the whole world from sin and its consequences, then Jesus must be the love Himself instead of being full of love.

He Himself must be described as love in a form of a human being, who lived and walked the streets of Galilee in the first century A.D. He’s love personified.

If He died on the cross just to save you and me, and everyone else (See John 3:16-21), then how do we call such a man? Is He full of love, or is He the love Himself? I mean, how do we classify or describe Him? He gave up His own life as young as I am, just to save the world: 33 years old.

We don’t understand it when we talk of a man dying in order to save others who later on believe in Him, but that’s it. We may not first understand advanced mathematics and its calculation methods. But when we do, we appreciate learning through trial and error, don’t we? In the same way, these abstract teachings are harder to understand than mathematics or natural sciences lessons.

When I read my Bible, especially the Old Testament, I have a lot of questions from time to time. For example, why was God so glutton on animal sacrifices in such a big way? Where do the Israelites get all these animals in the desert? Why slaughter and burn an animal twice a day? Was it a good thing to do to slaughter animals each and every day, morning and evening?

I can’t comprehend this, just as my finite mind can’t comprehend the universe, though my eyes could see a glimpse of it. I don’t know what is behind the curtain above the earth. If anything then what is behind it? You can go and go until you end up crazy or insane. We can’t understand these abstract teachings very easily.

But now I know that God demanded all these [just as He did in each and every tribe of people in His own way]. But to show us the way to Him is not through those animal sacrifices, but through His own way, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and this shows us that God is love.

Have you ever wondered about the hellfire? I do! Why can such a loving God send people into the lake of fire that burns on and on for eternity future? Would He be a loving God still?

Won’t he feel sad and just quench the fire Himself? Does He want some to go into that fire, and others into eternal life? Sure. Jesus doesn’t want us there, so He came and died. But what if we still don’t believe in Him?

REASON 7: BECAUSE HE IS THE WAY

If Jesus the Christ died and rose again from the dead to save me and you, then He is the only way to life and peace, not to hell and pain. Imagine the hellfire for now. See how terrible it will be for people to be there, not only for an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even a year, but forever, and ever!

Do you see the need for a way to escape that terrible death? If indeed there is a way, won’t you take it? Won’t you walk that way leading to life instead of navigating the way to death and hellfire? Of course, none of us will choose the latter option purposely, but it seems that’s what we are doing each and every day of our lives.

Because we hardly understand these spiritual teachings, we don’t take them seriously. Look, I just read a story in a WhatsApp group from a friend writer who got admitted to a certain hospital because he was diagnosed positive for SARS-Cov2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

In the story, he said he had a dream or a vision of a tall ugly woman who started a fight with him.

In the fight, the woman pinned him on the wall with her feet. But instead, he said he looked at her in the eyes and said, “I’m not scared of you,” and she again threw him to the other side of the room, and followed after him. He again looked at her right in the eyes and said, “I’m not afraid of you, woman,” and then she left him only for him to be awake.

Now, my friend was declared COVID-19 free on 22^nd October 2020, and I wrote this the following day, 23^rd October 2020. Does this prove that the spiritual world is that real? Does it mean that COVID-19 is a spirit, or that there is a spiritual side of it that needs spiritual warfare to overcome it? I don’t know the answers to these important human questions either.

But Jesus is the only way to life. Don’t forget that the name Jesus is not how it is spelled, or how it is pronounced that matters, but who we refer to with the name. This settles it. This means there is no language barrier at all because even the gentiles must have a way to know about Jesus.

One of my Bible questions that I keep asking is this: will God condemn those who never heard about Jesus and yet they died? The answer is that Jesus is not that white man you see on the screen in Jesus’ Film work. The man you see there is Brain Deacon, not Jesus the Christ. Therefore, Jesus is a name of God, not of a man, and if so, there is such a name for HIM in each and every human language, whether we know this fact or not.

Jesus is the way. Those who followed this way regardless of traditions have been following the same Jesus of the Bible. You may be surprised to meet your great grandparents in heaven and they never have seen or heard anything about water baptism, or the Western form of the name of God, Jesus. They may not even know how to say the name, but they can say something that means the same thing in their own God-given languages.

Look how dangerous religion is. In religion, we think small and become foolish in the long run. Think about it for a while. Why do people call God Allah, when in fact they have the same word in their own languages? The answer of course is religion. But Jesus is the same being, God. He’s the way.

REASON 8: BECAUSE HE IS THE TRUTH

One of the leaders of His day asked Him, “What is the truth?” and I think we still ask the same question today. The Greeks were known for their highest form of wisdom. In fact, most of our wisdom and philosophy (which means love of wisdom) comes from the Greek thinkers and philosophers, such as Immanuel Kant and Plato.

But the truth is that there is God, the Creator, and we all are His creatures in His creation. The creation can be divided into the spiritual and spiritual worlds. God, Himself is the truth because everything that ever existed came out of Him and for Him. If the stones are real, and it’s true there are stones, then this means they have a source, God.

Jesus described Himself as the truth, with that definite article, [the] even in the original language of the New Testament. Jesus the Christ is the only truth about God, you and me, and the rest of His creation. He is the origin of all things, the basis for all things.

This means everything hangs or holds together because of Him. He holds the world in His hands! (See the String Theory.) Again, these are higher thoughts from God Himself. We don’t understand them easily, just as we may not easily understand mathematics at first.

The Bible calls those who don’t want to try their best to understand these things “simple” because they focus their minds and their attention mostly on the simple ways of thinking and understanding. I hope you are not one of them.

Jesus the Christ is the truth, the only truth because He is truth Himself. If He is indeed God, then He is the truth because everything is because He makes everything become. He is not only the cause, while the creation is the effect, but He is actively involved in every detail. He knows everything because He is in everything and everything is in Him.

Have you ever heard of quantum physics? I am not a physicist or a scientist, but I read a lot about important topics such as these. This field of study is not new though. Some physicists call it spooky and weird. Why? Because the smallest parts of the particles are so weird. They act as if they are one. Something holds them together, and these scientists named it, the string.

Try to learn more about string theory in physics. You will be amazed that what the Bible said many years ago is now very close to our discovery. Jesus, the God, holds each and everything together in the whole universe. You can’t measure the strings because they seem to be everywhere at the same time.

REASON 9: BECAUSE HE IS THE LIFE

If life is another unique form of energy that humans can’t create or destroy, then that means Jesus is life. He’s not full of life, but He is life Himself. He is the life-giver and the life taker.

Some people may start a fight with me because they were taught that God doesn’t kill anyone. Sad doctrine indeed, because it means the Devil [who they think kills] is much stronger than the God who creates life. But Jesus gives life, and He takes it at will.

Did you know He said the same thing about Himself? He said He was about to give His life away, and then claim it back on the early Easter Sunday morning when He rose again from the dead. He gives and takes away life. Jesus is in everything, living and nonliving alike.

Everything is in Jesus, living and nonliving alike. Jesus sustains life on the planet earth, as He does elsewhere. We don’t know how many worlds and universes are there. We don’t know how many deities are there in these worlds and universes, but we know this one unique character, Jesus the Christ.

Let’s go back to quantum physics. Life is that energy. Those strings are weird because they are the clues of the source. They are the source of everything, living and nonliving. They are the basis of life. They are beyond cells and their smaller contents and units. God is even far smaller than what we can see and examine, yet He is bigger than the biggest.

If Jesus is life, then every living thing has Jesus in it. You have Jesus in you if you are alive. You also have Him in you even when you are dead because a human or disease can’t create or destroy life. Life is that energy that lives on and on, and on unto eternity future. Even God can’t destroy life because He will be destroying Himself!

God is life and life is God.

REASON 10: BECAUSE HE IS THE PRIEST

And finally, if Jesus died to save us from sin and its consequences, then He is the only high priest who prays for us before God each and every day. He is up there in heaven praying for us, asking God the Father to forgive us of our sins, past, present, and future. He intercedes for us and for the world of sinners and unbelievers to repent from their sins and turn to God for salvation.

But if God is in all and all is in God, then He speaks to everything in His own way. Remember, Jesus spoke to a fig tree, and it heard Jesus, and then it died. It obeyed Jesus’ command. This has a lot of lessons to learn about Jesus as a God in a human form.

Try to curse a live tree now and see if it will die. Jesus said we can do these things, but only if we have faith in Him. Do you have faith in Him? I do, but I can’t tell a live tree to wither, or a rock to move to another location.

If I do, people will look to me, not to God, because I will love it when people praise me instead of the source of power, God. This is the main reason why we don’t perform miracles exactly as Jesus did. The other reason is that we don’t believe we can do so.

When Jesus speaks to God on your behalf, does it mean He is just a medium? Is that not another form of idolatry? Why don’t we pray to God directly? Well, Jesus said we can call God our Father, and that we can pray to Him directly without the need for Jesus in the middle or in between.

But today we pray to God in or even through the name of Jesus, which some seasoned Bible teachers interpret in their different and sometimes conflicting and even very contradicting ways.

Jesus is the High Priest who prays for us. He is not just a priest but the priest, [the] high priest. He is the Pastor of pastors. He is the Bishop of bishops. He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is love.

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May God richly bless and keep you safe!

Shalom!