Values

<<guiding principles of behaviour>>

The Ten Commandments embody God’s values, especially respect for life, people and property.

These derive from the character of God Himself and are clearly demonstrated in the lengths to which He went to redeem us (Jn 10:11,15,18). Jesus reinforced these values in His teaching and illustrated them in the parable of the Prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32).

Understanding God’s objectives and His means to achieve them, is foundational to developing a sound set of values. He does not coerce people, nor should we. Love is His top priority and we are called to love in the same way. Here on earth Jesus modelled these principles for us.

Values control your priorities, shape your direction and focus your energy so don’t compromise your Godly character, which although built over time can be destroyed in an instant. Our priority is to be God’s Kingdom. The effort we put into building on the foundation stone of our salvation will reveal our

Reflect on the values that underpin your lifestyle

focus so determine to live by His values, as a faithful servant/agent/citizen of the Kingdom (Mt 6:33; 1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Tim 2:20-22).

Satan attacks key issues of life, challenging our values. He targeted Adam and Eve by questioning their need to obey God. He continues to target the significant pivotal areas such as marriage and the family, using conflict, wandering lustful thoughts, personal rights and selfish desires as some of his weapons. Failing that, he attempts to seduce people by implying they cannot live up to God’s standards, so why bother. He is not concerned if we are tempted to have more ice cream, he wants us to yield in the momentous areas that will have an eternal consequence.

The effect of sin is to distort our values, even to the extent of calling evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20). The continual degradation of society results from human failure to uphold God’s standards, through both inability and unwillingness. The Bible warns of the tragedy of neglecting His principles for living (Prov 16:25; Rom 1:25,32). Another form of this distortion is using people and loving things; rather we should be loving people and using things to bring about eternal blessing for people. Do I communicate to others, that I appreciate and value them, for who they are – not just what they can do?

The accusation is sometimes made of Christians trying to impose their values or their beliefs on others. As followers of Jesus Christ we are to share the gospel and how God has worked in our life, aware of the eternal regret and suffering of those who don't turn to Jesus (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 5:19, 16:15; Jn 5:40; Rev 20:15). When a Christian says, “You must be born again”, they are not infringing on anyone’s basic human rights but are speaking the truth that people must know, yet are free to accept or reject (Jn 3:7; Rom 10:14). If some see that effort as imposing our beliefs on them, that is a matter of their perception, not a reflection of reality and discharging our responsibility to warn the lost of their doom if they continue to live without knowing Jesus (Ezek 3:18,19).

Christian values as recorded in the Bible best promote the general welfare and preserve the domestic tranquillity of society when they are embraced. These vales are not based on the changing moral codes of human rationale

Do I passionately hold to His values?

but the highest authority – God, whose rules for living are for the benefit of all humanity. The Bible says we will be judged by them so it is logical to endeavour to live by them (Jn 12:48). Do I intentionally try to live according to His values? "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it " (Lk 11:28). Whether God's or human rules, individuals have the option of freewill to break them but must accept the consequences. Every law imposes one set of values on others, so in effect someone’s values must reign supreme.