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Have value
Off the Wall
April 23, 2009
Back in December, several people in my email address
book were presented the question, "Why do we as human beings
have value?" The response was fantastic. I can only conclude
that I hit upon a subject about which people wished to share
their thoughts.
The reason I put out this survey was two-fold. First,
I had just finished listening to a compact disc by John Martignoni
on the subject. Second, I wondered how many readers would be
able to pinpoint the answer in less than five words.
Here are some of the answers I received. Some favorite
replies were, "We are children of God," "We were
all created by God," and we were created by infinite wisdom."
I heard from people who gave rather lengthy emails.
Quoting two responses, "When we value our souls we go to
church, follow the commandments, pray, meditate, and thank God
for all we have. If we didn't have values, we would have nothing,
because nothing would be important to us." Another wrote,
"All of us have valueif we could just believe this,
think what a wonderful world this would bethen there would not
be those who feel they have to rob others to get money and think
that they have value, or take drugs or alcohol to feel like they
have value"
But a Greensburg resident came closest to the answer
I was seeking when she remarked, "God values each and every
one of us." Three words He loves us. One can
speak worthy of something or someone to any extent of value,
but love carries His feelings to a far greater degree. According
to Martignoni, "God gives us value because of His love for
us." So, in essence, we establish our morals in line with
His commands.
Here's a question that has somewhat plagued my mind.
Can a person who doesn't believe in God still have morals? I
have concluded that people who considered themselves atheists
may consider themselves to be good people, but by going against
God's Word, they are actually setting up their own standards
according to how they choose to live. Of consequence, they can
say they have morals, but on what basis? They can't base their
judgments on rules in the scriptures if they don't adhere to
the teachings of the writers. So, what do they do pick
what they want to use and ignore the others.
We are living in a society today whereby there are
many who have cast aside God's love for one's own pleasure. Women
are having their babies aborted to preserve the lifestyle
of the mother. If they valued God's love, they would not
commit this immorality.
It becomes imperative to realize that His all embracing
feeling began when we were conceived, when the sperm of the father
and egg of the mother became one in the mother's womb. He loved
us before we were born and maintains that love for us today.
And even though atheists may not believe in God, He still loves
them a thought to ponder.
So, do we as human beings have value because we
are employed, maybe a CEO? Or do we diminish that value when
we loose our jobs or get demoted. Is our worth increased by living
on the hill or above the tracks, so to speak? Are we looked down
upon if our homes aren't in the best of shape? Are we better
thought of if we drive a Mercedes Benz as compared to a Toyota?
Are those whom are drug addicts or homeless less important than
the folks who live lavishly and belong to country clubs?
Value can not be placed on things or positions of this world.
They are meaningless. We must reciprocate our Creator. It beats
me why anybody would ever want to rebel against unconditional
love.
Paul J. Volkmann
12/31/08
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