What does faith have to do with values?

Faith is the ground from which our values grow. From our Christian faith derives a set of values based on what we understand of God as revealed to us through the Bible and Jesus Christ (the living Word). Jesus' life and teaching clearly shows that God values Love, Forgiveness, Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation. God is faithful and consistent, and represents eternal values against which we can check our plans and actions. In the Old Testament, Micah 6:8 states, "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God". In the New Testament, John 3:16 tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".

Having a set of eternal values to guide us does not automatically make life easy for us. We still regularly face situations in which value conflicts arise. You know that a friend is being abused by her husband and you fear for her safety, but she doesn't want to report it officially. You find out that your child has been involved in vandalism at school. You know that you should report it, but are afraid that he will fail the year if he is suspended. In a world whose gods are money, power, science, technology and pleasure, those without a faith are driven by relative values and situation ethics. How difficult it must be to make decisions when your standards change with every societal fashion!

As we grow in our Christian faith, we learn more about how to apply Christian values in daily life. When conflicts arise and we are uncertain which way to go, the Bible and prayer are powerful sources of guidance. God didn't promise that life would be easy, but He did promise that He would never leave us to face it alone. What a blessing!