As part of our Family Scripture study this evening, my family and I read Galatians 5:22, in which Paul (I think) lists some of the fruits of the spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith." As I read this list, I thought of how it's a list, not only of desirable blessings worth seeking, but of values and virtues worth practicing. We should express love for each other and for all mankind. We should express and share joy. We should make peace and practice patience. We should be gentle and try to be good. These are among the core tenets of our faith. These are the Christian values we should strive to embody and promote.
Some people try to use the idea of Christian values in order to try to enforce or forbid certain behaviors or lifestyles, but controlling others isn't what Christianity is about. We Christians should seek to cleanse the inward vessel and lead by example. We should practice the virtues we wish others would also practice. If we want others to live up to certain standards or uphold certain values, we should uphold those standards and values as well. Then others, seeing our example, may, even without prodding, decide to reflect our behavior.
These are good, Christian values. I would like to see them practiced more in the world. But first, in order to help them spread throughout the world, we should practice them in our homes and in our hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment