The church plays a vital role in the formation of righteousness, character and morality within a society.
Have you been living your life in a way that is not serving you well? Have you developed some unhealthy patterns that have at least hindered, if not derailed your life?
If you are ready to choose a new path and a new direction for your life, where else in society do you go to learn anything at all about character development, spiritual formation, righteousness and the power to bring about positive change in your life?
The church is really the only place that is equipped to speak to the true condition of the heart. Only the church can speak with clarity and power on what Christ did on the cross that makes renewal possible.
The church is to be united as we encourage one another on the path to spiritual growth and development. The church is intended to play an essential role in the development of morality, character and integrity.
The church should be partnering with parents in teaching young people, from their earliest days, the importance of developing high standards and learning to live their lives for Christ. It is important to find a place where your kids can consistently get a vision for living a godly life.
Young people need to know they are not on their own. They need to know they have a church family that stands behind and with them and that we are for them. This is an incredibly important role.
The church must work to reinforce the values from the Word of God that are hopefully being taught and being modeled at home. That’s the power of partnership.
Another level of transformation that must take place if we hope to restore character in our society and culture is on the educational level. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV).
Over the past few decades, virtually all forms of religious expression have been taken from the public schools. Now, we have moved in the direction of value-free education. Students in some places are left to debate questions about truth.
What is truth anyway? With no moral foundation for truth in place, who gets to decide? Who would have ever thought that truth would be so hard to define?
In so many places, it is almost like morality, respect and character development have essentially dropped off the agenda in the education of the next generation. Tragic.
You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].
