3 Values To Live By

Our grandson, Miles, who’s in the 4th grade, attends a private school, Florida College Academy.

The other day I saw some school papers attached to the refrigerator at their house and one caught my attention which is copied above.

Apparently these three words, reverence, respect, and responsibility, serve as a guiding light for the values of the school, the administrators, the teachers, and the students. As you can see Miles had copied them and is being taught these principles in his classes.

Give some thought to those three values as they apply to your life.

#1 Reverence for God.

When we reverence God, we praise Him, exalt His name, and magnify Him as the Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of life and everything that exists (Ps. 34:1-3).

A frequently used word in the Psalms is “Awesome.” The song of Moses following Israel’s deliverance from Egypt honors God singing, “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (Ex 15:11).

God is awesome because only He is omnipotent. Omnipresent. And Omniscient.

God is awesome because He is immutable. Infinite. And Sovereign.

God is awesome. He is to be respected. Reverenced. Venerated. His works are awe-inspiring.

God is awesome in His creative power. In His blessings to His people. In His ability to refine us.

God is awesome because of character. His nature. His qualities. He is merciful. Kind. Loving. Strong.

When we see God as awesome, we stand in awe of Him. Honor Him in worship. Reverence His Word. And revere the use of His name.

God is awesome in His purpose in Jesus Christ, His plan for man’s salvation, and His wisdom in establishing His Kingdom/Church.

Because God is awesome, we reverence Him. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).

#2 Respect for Yourself and Others

Self-respect recognizes one’s worth, dignity and value as a person created in the image of God. It’s treating your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, feeding your mind with virtuous thoughts, and nourishing your soul spiritually. Self-respect allows us to feel good about the person we are and are becoming. “Never violate the sacredness of your individual self-respect,” advised Theodore Parker.

Respecting others allows us to “esteem others better than ourselves” (Phil. 2:3). Practice the “Golden Rule” by treating others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12). And exercising the Second Great Command in our love for all people (Matt. 22:37-40). Such an attitude issues itself in kindness, apologizing for mistakes, and respecting the rights and values of others.

#3 Responsibility For Your Actions.

God created us as accountable beings. As we grow to maturity and adulthood we must recognize that we are responsible for our decisions, attitudes, and actions. Children often blame others for their mistakes. So they must be taught responsibility and accountability. It’s crucial for personal growth, healthy interpersonal relations, societal orderliness.

This principle is found throughout the Bible from Genesis in the Garden of Eden to John’s letter to the 7 churches of Asia in Revelation. It’s found in the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7-8). It is important in our individual family roles and responsibilities (Eph. 5:23-6:4). It is commanded in our relationship to our spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:7,17). And, of course, is emphasized in our personal obedience to God’s commands on which we will ultimately be judged (2 Cor. 5:10).

Jim Rohn was right when he wrote, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.

If you don’t have a family motto or creed this would be an excellent one to adopt.

Reverence God
Respect Yourself and Others.
Responsibility for Your Actions.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman