Theme: Values

The Lenten Season

Theme: Values

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Text:  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8).

Value is something that is important in our lives. Anything that is valuable to us holds a pre-eminent place in our life. We keep it carefully and guard it. It is important that we should possess it at any cost and it makes us happy. The Bible tells us about some persons who paced right values in the right places of their life: Moses - He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.  (Heb 11:26-27). Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.  (Dan 1:8-9). God honoured them and blessed them for their stand.

Jesus said, “My food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). He also said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."  (Mark 8:36-38).  Paul says – “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Phil 3:7-9).

When we grasp the value that God places on us and others we can grasp the right values and then we will be able to do right things in life. We need to place right values on ourselves and others. If we discriminate others who are different from us we are devaluing God's image-bearers. For every human being is created in the image of God.

If we mismanage our finances and can not give our tithes and offerings to God, we are placing a higher value on worldly things than God. Examine and see what values are important in your life.

Prayer:

Lord help me to grasp the real value of life You have placed on me, so that I can have the right values in my life. Help me to give you first place in all areas of my life and get the right perspective on my life. Help me to right place to right values in my life.

 In His precious name, Amen.