Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4698
Bowels: the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.), the emotions
From the Greek word 'splagchnon' (pronounced splangkh'-non): the inward parts; the heart, affections, seat of the feelings. Properly, the internal organs ("viscera"); "gut-level compassion" (visceral feelings); the capacity to feel deep emotions (sympathy, empathy, etc.).
THE CORE
The main job of the core in the human anatomy is to hold and protect the spine. It is located within a person's abdominal muscles, which stabilize the pelvis, maintain natural abdominal pressure and helps hold other organs in place.
It is the same in our spiritual bodies. The core, the innermost part of our spiritual hearts, where the Trinity dwell, holds us upright. The core's main function is to keep the born again Christian in Christ and Christ in the Christian. It is here God writes His Word with the power of His Holy Spirit.
HEART OF MERCY
Having gone through various trials with Christ at our helm, we are able to navigate these same storms with others. We call this empathy. But being Christians, we can also offer the Love of God, our Hope in Christ and Strength for the journey.
Death is another storm which everyone goes through. When we are born into this world, we are aware that we will have to die at some point to leave it. Though we do not want to say good-bye to our loved ones, we who know we are in Christ and that He is in us, know that 'good-bye' is really 'see you later'.
Therefore, as Christ's servants we can also sympathize with the dying, the ones they leave behind and the ones who fear death. A grieving parent is shown both empathy and sympathy by a Christian parent who has also suffered the loss of a child. A grieving child is shown sympathy and empathy by a Christian when we share how our parents are now in heaven.
From deep within the heart of a Christian rises the love of God and the mercy of Christ to reach into the heart of the one we are showing empathy with and sympathy to. We grieve when they grieve. We cry when they cry. We mourn when they mourn. We rejoice when they rejoice.
CORE VALUES
Core values are the priorities by which we live our lives: our personal ethics, our integrity. In Scripture, the core values are the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22, 23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." These grow in the spiritual core of a Christian.
We each have our own list of core values. Some as few as five, yet some have a set list of 200+ values. It is the structure of life for us. In a Christian's life it is the same. What we believe and how we live what we believe is to be known by our core values.
For instance, integrity, which tends to show itself in a public display of honesty. When you see an item in your cart after you've already paid for everything else, do you go back and pay for it or do you keep it? The person with integrity goes back and pays for it.
Responsibility, respect, good sportsmanship are all core values. But servant leadership is also a core value. Jesus showed this value when He washed His disciples' feet. (John 13:1-17). He's the Servant Leader, who shows by example how to live a Christ-centered life.
So, remember, in order to guard our hearts and the core of our hearts, we need a right relationship with Christ and to be filled with His Holy Spirit, who leads us and guides us on every step of our walk with Him. In the church we call it 'being known by our fruit'. What are you known for?
Just A Closer Walk With Thee - Alabama
I Can't Even Walk - Southern Gospel Revival
I'd Rather Have Jesus - Jim Reeves
Nothing Without You - Will Reagan
