In View of All This, How Then Should We Live?

What are your core values? They are what you live by. We behave according to what we believe. So what exactly do you believe? I probably have a good idea of what my core values should be, but what are they, really? Take this challenge, if you haven’t already, and spend some time getting your core values down on paper. See how they line up with Scripture. As a matter of fact, they should come from Scripture! =P If you have them down on paper and get them rolling around in your mind, it will help you to focus your thoughts, words and actions. I came up with a list a while ago, and every so often I revisit it and see if it needs honing. I’ve read some lists of core values that other people have. Here are a few examples from some of these lists:

We are a special, holy, and royal people. This core value trains us to value others and ourselves as the precious possessions of God, for whom He sacrificed His only Son. It fosters a culture of honor in which we treat others as royalty because we are royalty. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

I will never act out of fear, fear any man or demon, or make decisions strictly to save my life. I will fear God only.

We have inherited the divine nature and grow in the fruit of the Spirit as we hang out with God. This core value trains us to embrace the journey of maturity as a process of yielding to the work of God within us and keeps us from a striving mentality. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

I will continue to choose to be saturated with, and ruled by, God’s Word. In this way, God will be glorified in everything I think, say and do. (Matt. 4:4; Romans 10:8-10, 17; Colossians 3:16-17)

I will rejoice always, be constant in prayer, and be thankful in everything. (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

Core values are life-governing principles. I think it’s important to know, in detail, what value system is governing my life. One of the best words of wisdom I’ve heard about how to discover your core values is to keep pressing in to know the Prince of the principles. Jesus will teach you what your core values are, personally ordered for you according to the place He has for you in His Kingdom, His church. Ask Him more about it sometime.