Value Determination

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – James 13:34-35.

Moses was born a Hebrew, but grew up in the house of Pharaoh where he was surrounded by status and privilege. Acts 7:22 tells us, “And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.”

While still part of Pharaoh’s royal family, Moses made a decision that changed the course of his life. Hebrews 11:24-26 records it this way: “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”

Moses’ great decision was that he “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” and chose to follow the God of Israel. Moses chose God’s values over man’s values. He changed his life and went on to change the lives of countless others.

Most businesses list the values that drive the company on their website. Merck is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Their core values are driven by a desire to improve life, achieve scientific excellence, operate with the highest standards of integrity, expand access to our products and employ a diverse workforce that values collaboration. The Bible does not specifically give a list of “Christian values,” there are any number of values that drive how we as Christians should operate.

A few of them include: Keep God’s 10 Commandments; love God and one another; have faith and trust in God; humble ourselves as little children; do good works; cultivate spiritual gifts to serve others; seek God’s righteousness; and live at peace with others.

This is just a sampling of the many Christian values we can find in the pages of the Bible.

These are attributes we should value in our lives. Fortunately, God has provided an instruction manual in the form of the Holy Bible.  If we’re looking for Christian values, this is where we will find them. 

These values are the restraint, boundaries and disciplines we develop around our life to direct us through obstacles instead of around them. They help make us attain and maintain a life dedicated to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you find yourself conforming to the values, practices and beliefs of the world as well as those of God?
2. What can you point to as core values of Christianity? What are the implications of these values on your personal spiritual journey?
3. Are these values still relevant in the 21st century?
4. What can you do this week to begin living life by the values of God?