JESUS CHRIST: THE PARAMOUNT EXEMPLAR OF SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING

Abstract

Instead of directly addressing the theme of this conference, which begins with ‘Problems of spiritual awakening of a personality’, what is included herein is a potential solution to the problem. This paper is written from the author’s personal perspective, as an evangelical Christian. It provides material for each person to ponder and for reflection on well-being. The Bible, and particularly the Gospel of John, is interpreted using the Four Domains Model of Spiritual Health/Well-Being to support the claim that Jesus Christ is the paramount exemplar of spiritual well-being. This model proposes that spiritual well-being is reflected in the quality of relationships that each person has with self, others, nature and God. As Christ showed how to live in harmony in these four domains, which is the ultimate of spiritual well-being, his life provides a foundation for us to emulate. Christ not only showed us how to live in harmony with God, nature, others and self; he provided the way. Each person has the choice, whether or not to follow in his footsteps to achieve the ultimate of spiritual well-being – eternal life with God. If parents, pastoral carers, pedagogues, physicians, politicians and the populace, including pupils, cared for themselves and others in the same manner as would Jesus Christ, what a wonderful world it would be. We would not only be spiritually aware but fully awake.