Clarity of values is of grave importance in everything we do. Whether it be in business, at home, in church or your relationship with God, it matters whether values are clear or not. And when it comes to being clear with values, it starts first by getting clear about what or who is of highest value. We know for a fact that as Christians, the highest value is and will always be Jesus Christ.
God is a God who brings clarity, and clarity matters to Him. When he created the world we live in, His first agenda was to make things clear by bringing forth light into the world. Genesis 1:3 "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
As we walk in Him, God clarifies for us the direction He wants us to take. That's why Psalm 119:105-106 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules."
God desires that values be clear to us because when values are clear, life becomes simpler and it becomes much easier to make decisions. Sure carrying out decisions can get harder, but clarity of values makes the discerning much simpler for all of us. For instance, when faced with a test of integrity over whether to take on a business deal or not, when values are clear we know that we should value God more than making more money.
Values are made most clear when the heart is brought to light because from our heart comes forth the values that shape our life. The question is whether our values match align with God's values. Matthew 6:21 tells us, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus was an expert when it came to making values clear and often challenged the values of many people. He challenged the Pharisees to see whether they would value God's heart over worldly traditions. He challenged His disciples whether they would value their life or count the cost and carry their crosses. Jesus is in the business of making values clear.
When values are clear, we become more fruitful and our faith is built. And when it comes to values, God makes it clear what our values should be. He calls us first to value Him beyond all things and to value other people.
This can be best summarised in the greatest commandment, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)
