What values do you hold dearly and
live by in life? What do you do when values of a different culture clash with
your values as a follower of Jesus Christ? There will always be those around
you whose morals and values will conflict with yours either directly or
indirectly, this may cause some strain in the relationship or for you to be
guarded. Are you able to do life with someone whose values collide with yours
as a follower of Jesus Christ, or do you just dodge or ignore the issues?
Jesus
dealt with the issue in John 8:1-12, when a
woman supposedly caught in adultery was thrown in front of Jesus challenging
His values. However, His values were never in conflict with each other. He was
able display mercy, truth, righteousness and peace without there ever being a
tension. Jesus had an amazing ability to bring mercy and truth, righteousness
and peace into a situation, in a graceful and effective balance. He turned this
explosive situation into a powerful demonstration of mercy and truth,
righteousness and peace. The woman had sinned and demands the truth without mercy,
righteousness without peace, but, Jesus never fluctuated from one extreme to
the other. He was merciful, without compromising the truth; He stood for the truth
while showing mercy. He could stand for righteousness, but not at the expense
of peace. He gave peace, but not at the cost of righteousness.
Today could
you do life with someone whose values clash with yours as a follower of Jesus
Christ? Or will you evade or ignore the ethical and moral issues? Jesus is an
example of how of live a life of truth, mercy, truth, righteousness and peace. These
are not just theological concepts, but theologically relational and personal qualities
that you have received in Christ. You too can offer mercy, without compromise; stand
for the truth, and showed mercy, make a stand for righteousness, but not at the
expense of peace, or you can learn to do the same.
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