Thought for Monday, December 10th

December 10, 2012

The Plague of Modern Day Values

“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”

-       Roy Disney

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8

What constitutes a value?  I am not speaking of the monetary worth of a thing: but rather of a principle or belief that one holds to be dear and worth living by.

It seems in our modern world that values of this nature have become less relevant.

We live in a world where marriage is debated, the beginning point of a life is argued, the parameters of what constitutes sexual promiscuity are challenged; and where many believe there is no absolute right or wrong: it is all about what feels good and what is right to a given individual.

Much is said today about the declining moral standards of our youth culture: but haven’t the preceding generations allowed this to happen.  In a world where no one is allowed to loose and everyone is a winner: where your not suppose to tell a child no, but rather give them choices; and a world that says you don’t have to work for anything, we will just give it to you: how do we expect there to be values and morals that will honor God and produce  God fearing generations?

Sadly this breakdown in values has found its way into the church as well.  And this decline cannot be lain at the feet of the youth: especially when you have those fifty and above whining and complaining when a sermon is preached on sin that convicts and they tell the deacons or pastor they don’t want that: they want sermons that will make them feel good about themselves.  More adults have told me, they don’t want to be challenged from God’s word: they just want to be made to feel like they are good people. 

Maybe what the world needs now is a good old fashion dose, of tough Godly love where if you didn’t get your act together and allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sins and lead you towards changing your ways: you might experience a storm of fire and brimstone falling out of the heavens.

As Christians, it is easy to find fault with the state of affairs in our nation and world: but what are we doing about it?  Are we willing to start living by Godly standards, with Bible based values; and are we willing to abide by the directives of God’s codes for what is and isn’t acceptable?

Are we willing to stop living like we are the focus and start making God the focus and lost and hurting souls the priorities: or would we rather continue having a church that makes us feel good and never challenges who we are and how we live?

If we want to change our world, maybe the best place to start is to asses our values at home and then work our way out from there.

Today’s Prayer

Father, bring our hearts and minds into focus with yours: reveal your values and expectations to us and then help us be willing to embrace and implement them as our way of living.