Whose Values?

We can examine our deeply-held beliefs, our guiding principles, and make sure that those are shaped by the Word of God.   The love of the world, or the things of this world, can get us off track, and 1st Timothy 6 offers this exhortation:
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

This is a picture of a life that is dedicated to doing the work of the Lord, whose values are conformed to God's standards.  If we are devoted to Christ, then we have access to the tools to build our lives on a firm foundation, that provides us with stability for the days to come - and those days may be difficult or challenging, but He gives us the strength and perspective to endure.  What we believe, what we "value," our moral standards, if they are consistent with the Scriptures, can anchor us.

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When someone talks about "morality," which involves the concept of right or wrong, those standards need to be based on something, and it should not be subjective, based on human understanding. 2nd Timothy 3 says:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

A Gallup poll from last month indicates that Americans remain far more likely to say the state of moral values in the U.S. is getting worse than to say it is getting better - of those surveyed, 73% say the state of moral values is getting worse, only 20% say it is getting better. In fact, the summary states that over 15 years, "solid majorities have consistently viewed the direction of the country's values negatively, ranging from 67% in 2002 and 2003 to 82% in 2007."

Overall, 43% of U.S. adults describe the current state of moral values as "poor," with 36% saying that it is "only fair". Only 18% say that the state of moral values is "excellent" or "good."

And, the poll indicates that Republicans and those who lean that way seem to take a dimmer view of the values of the nation. The summary says, "Platform issues on moral values are frequently espoused by Republican candidates for office at all levels of U.S. government, so it may come as little surprise that those who identify as or lean Republican have a heightened sensitivity to the state of the nation's moral fabric. But a majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, too, say the state of moral values is declining."

But what are those values, you may ask?  Americans are most likely to say they see a decline in U.S. standards and a lack of respect for one another, as well as poor values instilled by parents and reflected among government officials.  Also, the summary linked to an article analyzing a 2010 survey, which indicated that improvement in values could be seen with regard to "a better understanding of people from different backgrounds and cultures -- including a decline in racism -- as well as Americans pulling together in tough times and helping those in need."

While the summary is rather vague, it does provide us an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on our collective morality as a nation.  An overwhelming majority may indicate that what are called "values" are declining, but if one's "true north" on the moral compass is pointing toward a liberalization of social ideals, then one might not be satisfied unless our moral standards are loosened in a direction that contradicts the principles of the Scriptures that have been largely embraced for decades and centuries.

So, we as believers have to be careful that our moral values are defined in the Scriptures.  Even though a leader or high-profile celebrity might say that an act violates "our values," we have to recognize those values that person embraces may be different than our own.   There does seem to be a struggle in the area of what the poll terms, "U.S. standards."  The Bible gives us reliable measures of what our morality - individually and collectively - should be.

There are a host of positions on issues that can reflect our collective morality and "values."  But, we have to remember that morality should not be subjective - it has to be based on something.  And, human understanding is a most unreliable source.  God's Word gives us a solid foundation upon which to base our value system.   His teachings provide us a "true north" in our pursuit of moral values.