Introduction

The contrast between God's values and human values is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This dichotomy highlights the divine standards set by God, which often stand in stark contrast to the values and priorities that humans naturally adopt. Understanding this contrast is crucial for believers seeking to align their lives with God's will.

God's Values

1. Holiness and Righteousness: God's nature is inherently holy and righteous. Leviticus 19:2 states, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" God's value of holiness calls believers to live lives set apart from sin and dedicated to His purposes.

2. Love and Compassion: God's love is unconditional and sacrificial. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This love extends to all humanity, and believers are called to emulate this love in their interactions with others.

3. Justice and Mercy: God values justice and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8 : "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" God's justice ensures that righteousness prevails, while His mercy offers forgiveness and grace.

4. Truth and Integrity: God is the embodiment of truth. Jesus declared in John 14:6 , "I am the way and the truth and the life." Believers are called to live with integrity, reflecting God's truth in their words and actions.

5. Humility and Servanthood: Philippians 2:5-7 illustrates God's value of humility through Christ's example: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." Humility and servanthood are central to God's kingdom values.

Human Values

1. Self-Centeredness and Pride: Human nature often gravitates towards self-centeredness and pride. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This contrasts sharply with God's call to humility.

2. Materialism and Greed: The pursuit of wealth and material possessions is a common human value. Jesus cautions against this in Matthew 6:19-21 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

3. Relativism and Moral Compromise: Human values often embrace relativism, where truth is subjective. In contrast, God's truth is absolute. Isaiah 5:20 warns, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness."

4. Power and Control: The desire for power and control is prevalent in human values. However, Jesus taught in Matthew 20:26-28 , "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

5. Temporal Focus: Human values often prioritize the temporal over the eternal. Colossians 3:2 instructs, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This shift in focus is essential for aligning with God's eternal perspective.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently calls believers to adopt God's values, which often require a counter-cultural stance in a world driven by human values. By embracing God's standards of holiness, love, justice, truth, and humility, believers can reflect His character and fulfill His purposes in their lives.