Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 1
Culture manifests itself in a number of ways:
Values-- Shared values are a defining characteristic of a culture and a nation. What we value reveals who we are. Our values reflect our character. Basically, a value is a belief or conviction that is considered worthy in and of itself by an individual or group of individuals. It is a standard or ideal that regulates conduct or policy. Values also relates to one's personal philosophy. Our values define our attitudes, behavior and view of this world.
Please Note: If we want to learn how to live in the culture of the Kingdom, we must learn the values of the Kingdom. Jesus the King articulated His value system at the very beginning of His public ministry:
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 5:3-10
3) Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4) Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5) Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7) Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8) Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9) Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Please Note: This particular portion of the writings of Jesus our King is known as the "Beatitudes" or "blessed sayings", from the Latin word beatus (Blessed). I call them "Be-attitudes" because they describe the way Kingdom citizens should "be" in character, attitude and behavior.
Focus Point 1: Values are extremely powerful and form the foundation for behavior. They guide the people of a nation in identifying what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable. Whether the values spoken or unspoken, they are still recognized. Values form the foundation of nations and profoundly shape the lives and daily experiences of their citizens. Society depends on certain values in order to function, such as cooperation and honesty. Businesses also depend for their success on such values as integrity, honor, fairness and kindness.
Focus Point 2: Priorities-- Keep in mind: Culture manifests itself in the things we regard as most important. In other words, whatever we prioritize in this life reveals our culture. For example, If we prioritize the sanctity of marriage as being between a man and a woman, our culture will reflect it with laws, customs and social norms that strongly discourage and even penalize divorce, adultery and other things that seek to destroy the marriage union.
Values-- Shared values are a defining characteristic of a culture and a nation. What we value reveals who we are. Our values reflect our character. Basically, a value is a belief or conviction that is considered worthy in and of itself by an individual or group of individuals. It is a standard or ideal that regulates conduct or policy. Values also relates to one's personal philosophy. Our values define our attitudes, behavior and view of this world.
Please Note: If we want to learn how to live in the culture of the Kingdom, we must learn the values of the Kingdom. Jesus the King articulated His value system at the very beginning of His public ministry:
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 5:3-10
3) Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4) Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5) Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7) Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8) Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9) Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Please Note: This particular portion of the writings of Jesus our King is known as the "Beatitudes" or "blessed sayings", from the Latin word beatus (Blessed). I call them "Be-attitudes" because they describe the way Kingdom citizens should "be" in character, attitude and behavior.
Focus Point 1: Values are extremely powerful and form the foundation for behavior. They guide the people of a nation in identifying what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable. Whether the values spoken or unspoken, they are still recognized. Values form the foundation of nations and profoundly shape the lives and daily experiences of their citizens. Society depends on certain values in order to function, such as cooperation and honesty. Businesses also depend for their success on such values as integrity, honor, fairness and kindness.
Focus Point 2: Priorities-- Keep in mind: Culture manifests itself in the things we regard as most important. In other words, whatever we prioritize in this life reveals our culture. For example, If we prioritize the sanctity of marriage as being between a man and a woman, our culture will reflect it with laws, customs and social norms that strongly discourage and even penalize divorce, adultery and other things that seek to destroy the marriage union.
Prioritizing the sanctity of human life will produce a culture that
protects the elderly and the unborn and refuses to
sanction the harvesting of human embryos for stem cell research.
protects the elderly and the unborn and refuses to
sanction the harvesting of human embryos for stem cell research.
Jesus made this statement and got to His priorities:
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33 31) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Focus Point 3: Behaviors-- The way we behave reveals our culture: Just as simple as that!
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33 31) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Focus Point 3: Behaviors-- The way we behave reveals our culture: Just as simple as that!
