Living by Faith: The Core Values that Guide Believers

1. Love: Jesus taught his followers to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Love is considered the greatest commandment and the foundation of all other moral principles.

2. Compassion: Jesus showed great compassion towards the marginalized, the sick, and the oppressed. He taught his followers to have empathy and to care for those in need (Matthew 25:35-40).

3. Forgiveness: Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiveness, teaching his followers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God (Matthew 6:14-15). He demonstrated this by forgiving those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).

4. Humility: Jesus taught his followers to be humble and to serve others rather than seeking power or status (Matthew 20:26-28). He exemplified this by washing his disciples' feet (John 13:1-17).

5. Integrity: Jesus emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity, teaching his followers to speak the truth and to live with integrity in all aspects of life (Matthew 5:37).

6. Justice: Jesus spoke out against injustice and advocated for the fair treatment of all people. He taught his followers to stand up for the oppressed and to work towards justice and equality (Luke 4:18-19).

7. Generosity: Jesus taught his followers to be generous and to share their resources with those in need (Luke 12:33-34). He commended the widow who gave her last two coins as an act of sacrificial giving (Mark 12:41-44).

8. Honoring God: Jesus emphasized the importance of worshiping and honoring God above all else (Matthew 4:10). He taught his followers to seek God's kingdom and righteousness as their highest priority (Matthew 6:33).

9. Faithfulness: Jesus taught his followers to be faithful and trustworthy in their commitments and relationships (Matthew 5:37, Luke 16:10). He emphasized the importance of keeping one's word and being reliable.

10. Unity: Jesus prayed for his followers to be united as one, just as he and the Father are one (John 17:20-23). He taught his followers to love one another and to live in harmony, promoting unity within the community of believers.

11. Purity of heart: Jesus taught that true righteousness goes beyond external actions and extends to the purity of one's heart and intentions (Matthew 5:8). He emphasized the importance of inner transformation and genuine sincerity.

12. Hope: Jesus brought a message of hope, teaching his followers to trust in God's promises and to have hope in the midst of trials and difficulties (John 16:33). He promised eternal life and the hope of a future kingdom.

13. Contentment: Jesus taught his followers to be content with what they have and to avoid the pursuit of material possessions (Luke 12:15, Philippians 4:11-13). He emphasized the importance of finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.

14.  Faith: Jesus taught his followers to have faith in God and to trust in His promises (Matthew 17:20, Mark 11:22-24). He emphasized the importance of believing in God's power and having faith in His ability to work miracles.

15. The Body.  Your body is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As such, believers are encouraged to honor and care for their bodies as a way of glorifying God. Christians are called to be good stewards of their bodies, which includes taking care of their physical health and well-being. This involves practices such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and avoiding harmful substances.  Another core value related to the body is the principle of sexual purity. Jesus taught that sexual activity is to be reserved for the context of marriage between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6). This value emphasizes the importance of honoring and respecting the body in the area of sexuality.

Additionally, Jesus taught the value of self-control, which includes controlling one's desires and impulses. This applies to various aspects of life, including the body. Christians are encouraged to exercise self-control in areas such as eating, drinking, and other bodily desires.

Overall, the core value for our body in Christianity is to treat it with respect, care, and self-control, recognizing it as a gift from God and a vessel through which we can honor and serve Him.