Most needed Christian values

But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Acts 24:14-15 (New Living Translation)

The Christmas season has begun already and Christmas Day is getting closer every day, resulting in endless streams of joy and celebration amongst us. We celebrate with our family and friends and at times, even with strangers.
The present Christmas season encompasses so many different

traditional beliefs and folk tales that we tend not to realize the essence of our celebration i.e. our values as a follower of Christ, whose birth we celebrate with such great enthusiasm. In our reading today, the apostle Paul elaborates in this context giving us an example of him, how he displays these values being a disciple of Christ.
 
Earlier the Jews claimed Christianity as heresy and Christ's followers as heretic, not realizing that Christ's death on the cross put an end to the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). After being charged as a leader of a sect (Christianity was referred to as a sect by the Jews at that time as the Jews believed they worshiped a different God, not knowing Christ is the same God as Paul describes in the latter verses of our today’s study), when he was brought in front of the Roman king he ingeniously confessed that he belonged to that particular sect (Christianity) and he wasn’t ashamed of being called a follower of that sect. How Paul expresses his super-strong faith in this verse, similarly we shouldn’t be ashamed of our faith and belief in Christianity or in worshipping our God.

Paul also states that He worships the God of his fathers i.e. God of

the Jews. Here he narrates that he worships their God, Yahweh and not following any other foreign God. This was his reply to the allegations that had been laid against him of starting a different sect.
 

Paul further outlined that he believed in the ancient Jewish writings about the Law of Moses which were foretold by the prophets and the most prominent prophecy being that of the birth of Christ. It is his faith that stood firm in defending Christianity. Here we see how even if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move the mightiest of the mountains (Matthew 17:20)
 

Paul later claims that he has his hope in God, a hope of the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked from the dead which was even believed by the Pharisees. Here he shows another example of His belief that his sect (Christianity) and the Jews worshipped the same God Yahweh, who came in the form of Jesus Christ, got crucified and He resurrected on the third day, now seated at the right hand of The Father.

Here the apostle Paul shows us an example of an ideal Christian and how he exhibits these Christian values that reflect his undying faith in Christ and a hope of the resurrection of the dead that forms the basis of the return of our Saviour when he will come to collect His chosen flock and take them to the Promised Land.

Message for the week:

We as followers of Christ should not feel ashamed of referring to ourselves as Christians. We have been rewarded with an undying faith which if evoked by us, can discipline us in getting to be the Lord’s chosen flock and rejoice eternally in His fellowship.

Recite this short prayer with me, " Lord, I believe you are our one true God and you’ll descend from heaven to gather your chosen flock, taking them to the Promised Land. I know I’m unworthy to be a part of your flock and I repent for my sins. Thank you for being our ever-forgiving Father and for our never-ending hope in you. All things are possible in you. Lead me in your Way through your Word that I may rejoice being a part of your fellowship.  In  the name of Christ my Saviour I ask this short prayer.” Amen

God bless you

**Romans 10:4-For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

**Matthew 17:20-“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”