If we are Christians, certain Biblical values should set us apart from the world.
A. Respect.
Good relationships depend upon respect. In Exodus 20 we have the Ten Commandments. In verse 12, we read “Honor (respect) your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
In Ephesians 5:21-33 and 1 Peter 3:7, we are told that husbands and wives are to love and respect each other. A book I always encourage married couples to get and read together is “Love and Respect.” It is excellent.
In Hebrews 13:17 we read…” Obey (respect) your spiritual leaders, and do what they say …”
All of us were created in the likeness and image of God, and Christ died for everyone. Therefore, our lives should display love and respect for everyone. In 1 John 4:8 we read, “If a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God — for God is love.”
In Romans 14: 12-13 (NIV) we read, “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another.”
Watch the words you use. In Proverbs 15:4 we read “Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.”
B. Forgiveness.
Another Biblical value we should display is forgiveness. The world we live in is broken. None of us is perfect.
All of us can, at times, be selfish, hurt each other and be unkind. In Matthew 18:21-35 there is an amazing parable about a gracious king who forgave a servant’s debt. Then that servant went out and demanded repayment from someone who owed him. Be sure to read that account. We have been forgiven, so much by God who loves us.
In Ephesians 4:2 Paul wrote, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” The word ’bearing’ means to be tolerant of other Christians. It means to patiently endure their idiosyncrasies and weaknesses. We are to have a forgiving spirit toward others who may sin against us.
In 1 Timothy 1:15-17 Paul wrote, “This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst of sinners. Then others will realize that they too, can believe in Him and have eternal life.”
It is so easy for us to become impatient with each other but God wants us to be loving, patient, and forgiving. What a witness that is!
One more verse to reflect on is Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
C. Moral Purity.
As Christians, we need to commit to moral purity. Every day on television and the media, we are bombarded with sexually oriented material. So how do we stay morally pure? In Psalm 119:9 NIV, we read “How can anyone stay on the path of purity? By living according to your Word.”
In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 NLB we read, 3 “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
The Bible says your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is God. So, the indwelling Holy Spirit will use God’s word whenever you are tempted to help you live a pure life.
I want to say a word to those who may be watching pornographic material on your computer. That is another way to commit adultery. As you fantasize about sex with the woman you are watching. It is a sin against God and the wife God has given. He will hold you accountable
In Proverbs 4:23 we read “Be careful what you think because your thoughts can ruin your life.”
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 NLB wrote “The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
I don’t know how much clearer God can be about moral purity.
D. Be Fair.
I believe that being fair to others has to do with taking a stand against injustice. Maybe when you were young, a sibling got to do something that you didn’t and you said “It’s not fair!” As we get older, we realize life isn’t fair. We see a lot of injustice. So, you have to choose to stand against it.
In Ecclesiastes 4:1 TLB we read “Again, I observed the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power and their victims are helpless.” In Ecclesiastes 5:8 TLB we read “Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. Every official is under orders from higher up and matters of justice get lost to red tape and bureaucracy. Even the king milks the land for his own profit.” Does this sound familiar? In time, the people we have elected to represent us forget about us and use the system to line their pockets.
In Jeremiah 22:3 NLT, we read “Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors.”
I need to say regarding this value that when you are mistreated, you might be tempted to take revenge or get even. Don’t do that. The Apostle Peter said, “A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased.” 1 Peter 2:19 NCV
Well, I believe this is enough to chew on for this week. I pray that each of us will cultivate these values in our lives.
Remember, you are the temple of the living God.
· Be respectful
· Be forgiving
· Keep yourself morally pure
· Learn to be fair with others
May God bless you as you develop these values in your life.
For His glory, Pastor Leonard
