A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Richard Peterson
An editorial in the Sacramento Bee by John Crisp (10/6) caught my attention. He said, “We Americans are 330,000,000 people trying to find a way to travel together to the same place. Or so we like to think. In reality our current (political) divisions indicate that we are headed toward different destinations.”
As we examine the world today it is very different from what would be considered ideal. The question is: What would/should an ideal world look like?
I think many would say that it should make everyone happy and meet all their wants and needs. But will this bring the real happiness, peace and satisfaction people are wanting and needing?
Without following the principles taught in the Bible there’s little hope that things will get any better than they are now. In reality, many things seem to get worse with each year.
I believe we need to hear what Jesus said when he was asked “What is the greatest commandment?”
“Jesus said to him, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
In the sermon on the mount Jesus also said, “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). The rest of the sermon on the mount is rich in saying how we should live and what our values should be. Paul also emphasized the same point in Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
It is obvious that the world does not accept and endorse these values, but these are the kingdom values we still need to follow in our lives. Christ came to promote these values, but they were rejected then and still are. However, this does not mean we, as Christians, should not follow these principles. But first, we need the wisdom of God through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As it says in Romans: “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
The following is a brief summary of values that will put us back on the right track. Hopefully living these values out, and allowing others to see God working in our lives, will result in others also getting on the path of following God.
This is the pathway of values as I see it presented in the Bible:
- God is eternal and omnipotent. He has and always will be in control of everything. Gen. 1:1
- God created mankind with freedom of choice. Gen. 2:16-17
- Mankind (all of us) chose to disobey (sin) resulting in death and separation from God. Gen. 3:6, Rom. 3:23
- God planned for redemption. Gen. 3:15, John 3:16
- Jesus to came to provide redemption through his sacrificial death and resurrection for all of mankind’s sin. John 3:16-19, Rom. 3:24
- Individuals must accept this gift of Jesus into their lives in order to receive this redemption and eternal life with God. Rom. 5:6-11, 1 John 1:9
- God loves everyone and wants to be your personal friend and walk with you through everything in life (good and bad) by the presence of his Holy Spirit. We should never forget the reality of the power and wisdom that the Holy Spirit can provide for life now and into eternity. Acts 1:5&8, Matt. 28:19-20
We can do our part in making the “Kingdom of God” visible in this world if we follow the Creator and Lord of everything and allow him full control of our lives and, with God’s love and in humility, share him!
