When I was growing up, my conscience and my sense of ethics was a direct result of my mother’s influence. My mother was raised by very moral and religious parents who regularly attended a small country Methodist church. Since my dad was not a believer, or even a religious man, it was my mom who taught me about right and wrong, about being fair and respectful of others, and about being kind and merciful to others.
Deuteronomy chapters 23-25, reminds me of her. The over-all theme of these chapters is the same ethics she impressed upon me…fairness, kindness, respect, and generosity.
God calls us to do what’s right in all situations. That may sound simplistic and elementary, but should we abandon such a mandated approach to life merely because it’s simple? After all, boiling down complicated truth into simple root commands seems to be the way God operates. (Look at the 10 Commandments, or look at Matthew 22:36-40!)
So, by the power of the Holy Spirit…which is the only way we can really accomplish anything of any merit…may we root our thoughts, actions, and life in the simple ethic of doing what’s right, loving, respectful, and generous. In short, my we be representatives of our Father in Heaven.
When I was growing up, neither of my parents were saved or church goers. I went totally on my own. I would walk to the closest church. Depending on where we lived, that meant a holiness church or a Baptist Church. As an adult, I chose to follow the Baptist faith.
As I got older, my concern was the salvation of my parents. So I prayed. Before they died, both my parents were saved and were going to church. I spent a lot of time in prayer for them and God truly answered my prayers.
I am so sorry to be so late in responding to this, but I am so happy to hear of your parents eventual conversion. Yes, God does answer prayers…even when we feel He’s not, or not going to. Thanks for commenting and for reading!