The Relative Value of Things
In reading the teachings of Christ, have you noticed how the shifting cultural values of our generation are more and more in direct conflict with Christ’s teachings?
Many of the cultural values underpinning our society were generated during the Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason. As implied, it was a time when human reason and rational inquiry emphasized individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.
“Today, the values derived from this period—such as religious tolerance, political self-determination, and human equality—continue to influence global governance and social movements.” Trudy Mercadal, 2023.
We have no problem in identifying what the Apostle Paul was inspired to pass on to a younger Timothy: “… in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money …” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).
When Christ was teaching what would be involved in becoming one who followed Him, He said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). This is a complete contradiction to what Paul said would exist in the last days.
As God’s people, we have committed to a very particular lifestyle. At baptism we dedicated our lives to living according to the will of God, not our own will. Christ used the word “hate.” In context, a prime meaning is to “love less”. Christ’s instruction does not nullify the commandment to honor and respect your parents. We are to “love less” by comparison to our loyalty to God.
To follow Christ is to make Him and God’s way of life the number one priority in life. Christ also said, “He who finds his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Baptism represents our commitment to losing our life. We satisfy the will of God before we satisfy our human elements.
We cannot pretend that it is easy to achieve this state. As Paul noted, “… and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). Not living for ourselves requires going against the flow and that flow is increasingly self-centered and hostile to God’s way.
Our view of the relative value of things must change if we are to grow spiritually. Again, Paul’s words, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
Gaining Christ involves action and effort on our part. You will not resist the corrosive influence of the “me first” generation without some definitive effort against the values swirling around us continually. Christ also said to watch. That is to keep awake, be vigilant. This is more of a spiritual sense than simply watching world events. Our watching must translate back into spiritual preparedness.
King David said, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever more” (Psalm 73:25-26).
Be sure to keep a close check on the things that are of value to you.
Brian Orchard
