Ten Core values
of a dedicated and fruitful Christian life
The ten books I have written based on the Ten Commandments, represent the core values of a dedicated and fruitful Christian life. Core values are fundamental beliefs that are being lived out in our daily behavior. They can help us understand the difference between right and wrong and navigate us through the difficult challenges of life.
Now, of course this is the work of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus has freely given to everyone who has put their faith in Him. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Counselor, and Comforter. He gives us revelation about the Word of God. Reading the Bible and conversing with the Holy Spirit are essential ingredients of the daily life of a believer. If we fail to do so, we miss out on spiritual growth and we will be left stuck in a place.
In all ten books in this series we have looked at what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us. The letter kills, the Spirit gives life. Each book deals with one of the Ten Commandments and teaches us a spiritual principle that is valuable in our faith walk. Although the Ten Commandments have not changed, the way we make them come true is totally different under the new covenant. Merely obeying or keeping a set of rules can turn into legalism. However, making the teachings come true by fulfilling them in daily life is a whole different story, as Jesus had to explain many times. The apostle John got it. He wrote:
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining (1 John 2:7-8, NLT).
Jesus lived the truth of the commandments. I believe we are called to do the same. It is the way to push back darkness! So, allow me to summarize the ten books in this series in what I like to call the ‘Ten Core Values’ of a dedicated and fruitful Christian life. No longer is the emphasis on dos and don’ts but on what a life, led by the Holy Spirit, could be like.
And remember, the Ten Core Values are summed up in one word and that is LOVE.
Now, of course this is the work of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus has freely given to everyone who has put their faith in Him. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Counselor, and Comforter. He gives us revelation about the Word of God. Reading the Bible and conversing with the Holy Spirit are essential ingredients of the daily life of a believer. If we fail to do so, we miss out on spiritual growth and we will be left stuck in a place.
In all ten books in this series we have looked at what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us. The letter kills, the Spirit gives life. Each book deals with one of the Ten Commandments and teaches us a spiritual principle that is valuable in our faith walk. Although the Ten Commandments have not changed, the way we make them come true is totally different under the new covenant. Merely obeying or keeping a set of rules can turn into legalism. However, making the teachings come true by fulfilling them in daily life is a whole different story, as Jesus had to explain many times. The apostle John got it. He wrote:
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining (1 John 2:7-8, NLT).
Jesus lived the truth of the commandments. I believe we are called to do the same. It is the way to push back darkness! So, allow me to summarize the ten books in this series in what I like to call the ‘Ten Core Values’ of a dedicated and fruitful Christian life. No longer is the emphasis on dos and don’ts but on what a life, led by the Holy Spirit, could be like.
And remember, the Ten Core Values are summed up in one word and that is LOVE.
First commandment
You shall have no other gods before me
Book: No other gods
Why undivided loyalty to the One and only living God matters in these days
Core value: Loyalty
Our loyalty is to God alone and we will not be distracted by the concerns of this world
Second commandment
You shall not make idols
Book: True Worshipers
Answering the Father's call for a lifestyle of pure devotion
Core value: Worship
Our gratefulness and devotion towards God express themselves in a lifestyle of worship
Third commandment
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain
Book: In My Name
Inviting God's holy presence in daily situations
Core value: Presence
We seek the presence of God on a daily basis, His presence brings peace, healing, and revelation
Fourth commandment
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Book: Sacred Sabbath
God’s way to multiply our time and restore our joy
Core value: Rest
We practice sabbatical rest on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis and experience a blessed balance in daily life
Fifth commandment
Honor your father and your mother
Book: Respectfully Yours
Revealing God's truth about well-being and a long life
Core value: Respect
We show respect to our parents, children, and God and at the same time are deserving of respect
Sixth commandment
You shall not murder
Book: Breath of Life
A journey into origin & purpose of spirit, soul, and body
Core value: Life
We advocate the protection of life, from life in the womb to life of the elderly
Seventh commandment
You shall not commit adultery
Book: First Love
Embracing the challenge to pursue faithful relationships
Core value: Faithfulness
We are being faithful to our spouses and to God
Eighth commandment
You shall not steal
Book: Grace of Giving
Turning the key to enter and experience fullness of life
Core value: Generosity
We live a life of generosity which is the key to a blessed life
Ninth commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
Book: Spirit of Truth
Finding certainty and standing firm in a troubled world
Core value: Truth
We will stand up for truth and boldly proclaim the values and principles of the Bible
Tenth commandment
You shall not covet
Book: My Neighbor's House
Digging deeper to find the treasure that will satisfy the longing of your heart
Core value: Wisdom
We do not desire the things of this world, but seek after spiritual virtues such as wisdom
You shall have no other gods before me
Book: No other gods
Why undivided loyalty to the One and only living God matters in these days
Core value: Loyalty
Our loyalty is to God alone and we will not be distracted by the concerns of this world
Second commandment
You shall not make idols
Book: True Worshipers
Answering the Father's call for a lifestyle of pure devotion
Core value: Worship
Our gratefulness and devotion towards God express themselves in a lifestyle of worship
Third commandment
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain
Book: In My Name
Inviting God's holy presence in daily situations
Core value: Presence
We seek the presence of God on a daily basis, His presence brings peace, healing, and revelation
Fourth commandment
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Book: Sacred Sabbath
God’s way to multiply our time and restore our joy
Core value: Rest
We practice sabbatical rest on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis and experience a blessed balance in daily life
Fifth commandment
Honor your father and your mother
Book: Respectfully Yours
Revealing God's truth about well-being and a long life
Core value: Respect
We show respect to our parents, children, and God and at the same time are deserving of respect
Sixth commandment
You shall not murder
Book: Breath of Life
A journey into origin & purpose of spirit, soul, and body
Core value: Life
We advocate the protection of life, from life in the womb to life of the elderly
Seventh commandment
You shall not commit adultery
Book: First Love
Embracing the challenge to pursue faithful relationships
Core value: Faithfulness
We are being faithful to our spouses and to God
Eighth commandment
You shall not steal
Book: Grace of Giving
Turning the key to enter and experience fullness of life
Core value: Generosity
We live a life of generosity which is the key to a blessed life
Ninth commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
Book: Spirit of Truth
Finding certainty and standing firm in a troubled world
Core value: Truth
We will stand up for truth and boldly proclaim the values and principles of the Bible
Tenth commandment
You shall not covet
Book: My Neighbor's House
Digging deeper to find the treasure that will satisfy the longing of your heart
Core value: Wisdom
We do not desire the things of this world, but seek after spiritual virtues such as wisdom