Adopting God's Values

It is just so that what we value determines the course of our lives. Those who value friendship seek friends. Those who value wealth pursue riches. Those who value fame chase after the accolades of others. What is truly fascinating about all of this is that once one has set his or her values it becomes harder and harder to understand the values of others. ""Why would anyone waste so much time working out for the Olympics?"" wonders someone who spends every waking minute day trading the stock market for money. ""Why do those people worry so much about their friends - it's being number one that matters!"" says the Super Bowl quarterback. In it all we hear people say ""Who cares about the Bible and what it says? I've got more important things to do!"" We cannot draw near to God if we misunderstand His values or are trying to pursue values apart from His will. That is why we must adopt the Lord's values as our own.

Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 1:13-16: ""As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"" Here Peter gives us great insight into the contrast between worldly values and God's values. Let's take a closer look.

First, God values obedience. Think carefully about how diametrically opposed to the American way of life this really is. As Americans we don't want to obey anyone. This country began because many felt they should not have to obey a king who was far away and whose laws they disagreed with. Not hard to draw a parallel to God, our King, is it? This country has a Declaration of Independence, a Bill of [my] Rights, and we celebrate our individual freedom on Independence Day. We just aren't much on obedience, are we? We celebrate, push, politic and extol the values of doing what you want whenever you want.

Peter says Christians will have to break out of the American thought pattern of democracy-is-my-king-and-I-do-what-I-want. Instead we need to obey God, doing as He says even when we don't agree or even like it. Of course, such obedience is not commanded in an arbitrary fashion or simply because God is some power or ego trip. His commands are for our good always (Deut. 6:24). God recognizes what is best for us. His commands protect us from evil and harm, like a good parent protects a small child. However, and again to emphasize, even we don't think we need God's protection or understand what God is protecting us from we must still obey God. Examine your life and see if your are truly obedient or just mostly agreeing with God and then doing as you please when you want. Which life brings the blessings of God?

Second, God values the life that imitates Him. We are called to be holy because God is holy. We are challenged to be like Him. Once more we find God's way contrasting with society's way. Society imitates itself. A select group set the standards of what is ""cool,"" ""in,"" or ""fashionable, "" and everyone has to conform even if what society demands is unattainable or just plain stupid. Super models set a standard of beauty before our daughters and sisters that is simply not feasible for most women, and actually often unhealthy to attempt. Movies and television are pushing cigarette smoking as being ""in,"" even though it will kill you. The promiscuity that is so often paraded before us as ""the only way to live"" only brings guilt, a lack of fulfillment and sadness (witness Hollywood's divorce rate!). Often fashion is simply a regurgitation of what was worn twenty years ago. Ironically, if one had worn what is the ""latest"" now just twelve months ago he or she would have looked silly! The whims of the world are surely vanity.

God calls us away from all of that. Be like Me! I am holy, and so must His children be, the Lord says. Holiness here means ""set apart, separate."" It is not something that is accomplished in a far-off monastery but represents a genuine determination to put away evil and stand for righteousness. Yet in principle here God is urging us to much more than holiness. He is calling us to be like Him in every aspect of our life and character. Don't imitate other foolish human beings, He says. Be like your God! Think carefully about your own life. Is it more like the world or do you imitate God in your life?

For some Christians the idea of heaven is very enticing. However, they refuse to adopt God's values. As such they end up perpetually unhappy. They live one way, profess something different and get caught in the middle as lousy Christians and unhappy worldlings. They lack a true relationship with the Lord - they have failed to draw near unto Him. To do so we must adopt new values, the values of our God. May a new year bring you time to reflect, meditate, and set your life upon the course of what really matters most.