Nineteen year old Ottrisha Carter from Coryal won the Essay Competition in the over 14 category. On being told of her successful entry, she immediately donated her prize money to the Archbishop’s Cathedral Appeal. CCSJ thanks her for her generosity. The following is her essay:
“Christian values are based on God and the work of Jesus Christ. The most important Christian value is for a Christian to just value God more than anything, anybody, or any idea. Christian values are based on spiritual things versus material things. Material values focus totally on things like sex, food, shelter, and love of money. The parable of the Rich Fool tells us that material values may be important to men, but spiritual values are what is important to God.
In the parable of the Rich Fool, there is a difference of opinion between the Rich Fool and God in regard to the value a person should put into material things. Spiritual values focus totally on ideas such as truth, love and righteousness. The parable of the Ten Virgins provides us with an example of how important it is for a Christian to be diligent in their faith in a wise, consistent, and earnest effort. In the parable of the Ten Virgins, all ten virgins believed that the bridegroom was coming but only five virgins truly exercised their faith to do everything possible to be prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival. Even though Christian values are evident in nature, the evidence of these values comes through deeds and actions.
The core Christian values that guide me on my life’s journey as a young person are: the value of putting God first, hope, righteousness, love and honesty.
Firstly, the most important Christian value that helps me on my journey through life is the value of God. Having God first in my life, means continuously seeking His righteousness, and totally relying on Him. As a human being, I have the freedom of choice to decide what is right and what is wrong, but because of the fact that I value God, I look to Him for what is right and wrong. For example, most of us have the resources and means to take care of ourselves, but if we all value God we will rely on Him to take care of our needs. We value God when we acknowledge that He knows better than we do on what we need in our lives.
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Thirdly, righteousness is another Christian value that aids me on my journey through life. When a Christian accepts Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, he or she is now in right standing with God. They are a “new man”. A Christian is now set-aside for God, to be holy and righteousness. Righteousness becomes more and more precious as a Christian grows in his or her love of God. I try my best to do God’s will and do what is right in God’s eyes because I desire to strengthen my relationship with God. For example, if I am walking down the street and I see a man with a gun attacking another person I would intervene to help save the life of the other person. Although, my life would be at risk, I would give up my life to save another person, even if it’s a stranger. This is what Jesus would do if he had to do it again. Jesus gave up his life for all humanity to be given the opportunity of life. If Jesus did it, I would do it too because I’m following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Fourthly, the Christian value of love which is referred to as agape love is another Christian value that helps me through life. Agape love means unmerited favour. Christians realize this type of love through God. God offers all of mankind eternal life through Jesus Christ because of His unmerited favour and grace. This is true love that comes from God. Christians in turn value God’s love and have a desire to provide this Godly love of unmerited favour to others. An example of true agape love is the story of Fr Damien. Although Fr Damien knew that one day the disease of leprosy would consume and end his life, he willingly sacrificed his life to take care and live with the lepers on the leper colony of Molokai.
Another example of agape love is the story of the man who knew that he was not a first class swimmer but plunged himself into that pool to save a drowning child. These two examples are situations where true agape love was shown.
Lastly, honesty is another important Christian value in my life. Honesty is the quality or condition of being truthful and sincere. Christians are expected to be honest in everything they say and do. For example, if a classmate of mine commits a crime and I am aware that he or she did it, and the police questions me I would be totally honest. “Honesty is the best policy.”
In conclusion, if we have religious values based on the teaching of Jesus Christ, we can be free from sin and death. If we have religious values that are spiritually-minded such as truth, goodness and love, we will have a life of peace and joy. If we hold our fleshly desires in high regard, we do not value God and are not in right standing with Him. Christ enables us to be dead to sin, and through righteousness we have the Spirit of eternal life.”
