This week I asked random people to take a survey about values, expectations, fear, and the future. I’m sure it is no surprise that most responders’ number one value was some variation of faith and/or family. Many responses simply said “Jesus.”
Please do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this response. It’s a GREAT answer, actually. Personally, I too, value Jesus. I believe every Christian values Jesus. I believe in a round about way, the entire world values Jesus. Whether you believe He rose on third day and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, or you believe He died on the cross and remained dead, almost everyone can find value in the life of Jesus.
However, I don’t think many Christians, myself included, live out the values of Jesus well. We claim to value Jesus, but do we really strive to uphold the values Jesus embodied?
We value honesty, but we don’t see anything wrong with a little lie…
We value purity, but we keep things in our life which makes it hard, if not impossible, to keep our hearts and minds pure…
We value kindness, but how often do we make a not so nice, totally uncalled for comment…
We value service, but we rarely take time to serve someone else expecting nothing in return…
We value prayer, but intentional time in prayer often gets put off again and again until we find ourselves waking up the next morning…
I’m currently reading a book titled Just like Jesus, and the tag line reads: “God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
Last week, we looked at the HOW to live like Jesus in Luke 10, and this week I’d like to focus on WHY we should live like Jesus.
So, why? Well, it’s pretty simple, it’s to live out our purpose: reflect a Christ-like heart and bring others to salvation.
When we aren’t living out the values of Jesus, not only do we miss out on joy, blessings, and peace, but we also miss out on many opportunities to lead others to Christ.
The world notices a Christ-like heart because it stands out. The world is not used to honesty, purity, kindness, genuine service, or intentional prayer. The world is used to lying, cheating, filth, bitterness, hatefulness, selfishness, and dull faith.
When we not only value Jesus, but actively live out the very values Jesus embodies, we become noticeably different. We stand out. We are set apart. The world notices, and often it desires the same joy, peace, and blessings the Holy Spirit radiates through us.
Living out Biblical values, of which there are many- I have only mentioned a select few, results in greater opportunity to live out our purpose and expand the kingdom of Heaven.
This week, I encourage you to reflect not only on your values, but on how you go about upholding those values. Spend intentional time in prayer, and make an effort to reflect a Christ-like heart and spirit to the world. You will be surprised at the impact it will have on your daily life, and on those around you.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 KJV
“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:7-8 KJV
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:6 KJV
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13 KJV
“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
Matthew 7:17 KJV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:22-26 KJV