by Rodolfo N. Lentejas, Jr.

Created on: August 14, 2009   Last Updated: August 15, 2009

The impact of the life of Christ still echoes in the lives of the countless people who profess to be his followers and call themselves Christians today. However, following the footsteps of Christ in today's society is far more challenging than it was during his lifetime. The present era is dominated by knowledge and ignorance, power and hunger, and war and deceit. Premature and meaningless death is rampant. In many parts of the world hunger is a common sight.

During his lifetime, Christ gave a promise to his followers that the world will be dominated by peace, prosperity and love. But if we glance around, there seems to be no peace and prosperity at all since death and hunger is a common sight. Love seems to be a distant thing of the past. Is living a Christian life today still a meaningful factor in one's existence? The answer lies in the heart of everyone who reads this question.

One unique characteristic that Christ wanted his followers to excel is discipleship or that of acquiring the spirit of being humble followers. He wanted his followers to be like him: obedient, humble and kind. Like a human virus, every Christian is called upon to spread the words of Christ through his words and actions without being preachy and overly active but act simply the way he did. Christ did it simply by listening to his heart. The human heart is the repository of the human kindness and it is through the heart that good and benevolent actions are born.

In today's society, every Christian is challenged to spread the kindness of Christ. As every Christian knows it, kindness starts from the heart and being shared to all the members of the household, then to the community and hopefully across the entire human race. In this way, the promise of Christ that peace, prosperity and love will be realized.

One of Christ's dearest favorites during his lifetime whom he wanted his followers to continue loving today is the poor. The poor have a special place in his heart, not because of them being materially deprived, but simply because of the fact that the poor appear so insignificant in the society. He loved the poor and elevated their dignity to the level that is acceptable to the society. Today, whether Christian or not, the materially poor have always been the recipient of good acts and kindness. This good act is rooted in the heart of every good man who loves the poor.

Kindness is not the invention of Christ since it is engraved in everyone's heart, but he revolutionized it by being kind especially to the weak and poor. The modern society is called upon to express kindness to everyone in whatever form it may be, especially to the underprivileged. The ultimate act of kindness starts in promoting peace, and attending to the needy.

Living a Christian life in the modern world is simply echoing the very love of Christ to the underprivileged so that his promise of peace, prosperity and love shall be realized.

Learn more about this author, Rodolfo N. Lentejas, Jr..
Click here to send this author comments or questions.