Bishops Letters
June 08 +Graham The Importance of Choosing Right Values
One of the most telling points in the teaching of Jesus and in the Bible is the truth that whatever values we choose to live by, those will be the values with which God deals with us.In other words, we cannot expect to choose one set of values for our dealings with one another and yet presume that God will deal otherwise (ie. more kindly) with us.
The first example is forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer we say, ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.’ The implication is that we cannot expect God to forgive our many sins unless we have fully forgiven all who have done wrong to us. Why is that? Because either forgiveness is our chosen value, or it isn’t. We cannot have it from God and not show it to others. And if we don’t forgive, it is ourselves that we hurt most. If we cut someone out of our lives because of what they have done to us, God may not protect us from getting hurt by someone who does the same to us.
The second example is giving: ‘give, and it will be given to you...for the measure you give will be the measure you get back’ . (Luke 6.38) This is God’s amazing law of generosity. The more we give – the more we receive - a divine law which many Christians have found to be true. When life goes wrong, the first thing I check is my giving – I want it to be at least 10% of my income.
There are many similar sayings of Jesus on the theme of generosity:
‘How blessed are the merciful; they shall receive mercy’ (Matthew 5.7)
‘Love your enemies; do good to them; lend without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great.. He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked’ (Luke 6.35)
The third example is prayer: ‘If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard’ . (Proverbs 21.13) So if we want God to hear our prayers for help, then we must be hearing the cries of those in need and responding. This is deeply challenging when we hear so many calls upon our money. But it is good to give a considerable sum, monthly or annually, by standing order, to a charity which relieves poverty. Better still, to get involved!
My final example is condemnation of others. These are well-known words of Jesus:‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged’ (Matthew 7.1) Our attitudes to others clearly have a bearing on how God sees us..
+Graham,
