Values are a Part of Life

Values. I've been pondering this topic lately since we discussed it in my favorite class. First, here's a couple questions to think about: 

What do you hold most dear? What (or who) is your authority? 

I see more and more Christians living a detached life from the Bible. Do you hold God's word as the dearest thing? Is the Scripture your authority for all decisions you make? 

Lately I've been noticing more and more how vital it is that Christians be constantly in the Word. The devil is out to destroy. This is no time to be passive in your Christian walk. Recently I've heard some young people say, "I don't feel like that was right..." or "I feel like this should be allowed." Why are Christians basing their decisions on their feelings? That is dangerous. Proverbs 28:26 says "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." In all kindness, it doesn't really matter what you feel is right. What do you know to be right based on what God has said? He has given us a guidebook for how to live life - it's all in the Bible. Psalm 119:105 ~ "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Being a Christian is something you should not take lightly. It is not something you can take off one day and put on the next. It is part of who you are. You cannot choose to be a Christian only when it's convenient. Do not back down in those moments when you have to make a difficult decision, when you know people will be angry with you and disagree with what you've chosen. Don't let what other people think rule you. Choose what you know is right biblically and do it, even if it's not popular. You'll always be in the majority because God is on your side. 

You CAN NOT separate your work/life from your values. I know probably most of you are not writing books, but I'm just going to use it as an example since I'm a writer and it's a topic that's near and dear to my heart. 😊 Writers should reflect Christ in their books. Even if the book does not necessarily contain "Christian" themes, it should still be wholesome and good, reflective of your right values that are rooted in Scripture. Words are precious. They're powerful. Especially in writing, they can be used to lift up the name of Christ or they can be used to bring harm to him. No matter a writer's motive for writing, every book a Christian writes should never contain vulgarity, disgusting descriptive scenes, or cursing and blasphemous words. Real life can be depicted without including these things. Hard topics can be discussed in a Christ-honoring way. When a Christian has the vocation of writer, welder, or pilot, he is a Christian writer, a Christian welder, and a Christian pilot. Others are watching and learning from your example. If a Christian acts in a way contrary to principles in Scripture, he may bring more harm to Christ's name. 

Here are some valuable Scriptural reminders:

Proverbs 4:23: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." 

1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether therefore ye eat, or dink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Matthew 12:35: "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

Titus 2:7-8: "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

Stay faithful.

~Ashley