Christian Values

Christian Values?
Someone asked me to give them a basic list of Christian values. Here is a basic list I came up with that I believe marks a Christian.
1/Jesus said,
 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
2/ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
3/ Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44.
4/Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
5/The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
6/ The writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
7/ The Apostle Peter wrote,
”Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12.
These are true Christian values that if someone claims to be Christian must follow. There is no compromise.
The Christian life is one of Love, for God, our neighbour even our enemy. The apostle Paul defines love as,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
I t always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul tells them and Christians everywhere that,

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

 Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone.  

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  

On the contrary: 

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.....”

 Romans 12:9-20a 

The writer of Hebrews tells Christians plainly,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14

Anyone claiming to be a Christian must follow these the principles. They must be reflected in the life of a Christian each and every day.
Please think about it.

Christian Values

Christian Values
I was once asked what are Christian values?
 Tony Campolo once said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.
He was right but Christian values was summed up by Jesus when He said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
In our twenty-first century western society and for that matter any society anywhere in the world that means we must have compassion for those who less fortunate than us. We must do all we can to help the sick, feed the hungry and stand up for the oppressed even if we do not necessary agree with them.
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus went beyond that he said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:43-47.
Put simply Christians are to Love, God, our neighbour and even our enemy. These are Christian values.
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20
As Christians in a democracy we need to be putting these values into practice. I believe everyone who claims to be a Christian will be held to these standards. I also believe that the more power we have to help people the more God will hold us accountable.
I firmly believe those who claim to be Christian and own businesses must provide a living wage, good benefits and working conditions for their workers. Treating them the same way they want to be treated.
The same goes for politicians who claim to be Christians. They should see that the laws they pass benefit all society. A good health care system, fair taxes, safe neighbourhoods, good all inclusive social programs for the less fortunate.
Jesus told this Parable he said,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
I believe everyone claiming to be Christian must treat people the way they want to be treated. They must love God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
We must as Christians help the less fortunate, the sick, and love even those we disagree with. These are true Christian values.
Please think about it