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Eternal Values |
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Values are standards, principles or qualities that are highly esteemed. They define what is important to an individual or society and, to a large extent, dictate personal and societal thought and, subsequently, behavior.
Personal values are usually formed early in life through the influence of parents, teachers and other authority figures. Reinforced by emotional investment, they gradually become incorporated into thoughts, feelings, attitude and behaviors. Human lives are a reflection of their values. I once attended a church service where the pastor asked the children among the congregants, “What do your parents value?” As parents sat mortified, many children answered with complete honesty. The answers included TV, work, family, computer, etc. The exercise simply revealed that human beings do what they value and value what they do. |
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The values of the church serve a significant role in determining its spiritual vitality and fruitfulness. The primary factors that shaped the values of the early New Testament church were the leading of the risen Savior, the teaching and tradition of the Apostles and prayer. As evidenced by church history, whenever and wherever these same values are cherished they contribute to the bearing of spiritual fruit in New Testament quality and quantity.
© 2018 James Hiatt |