Understanding Christian Values in Simple Terms
When you hear the phrase “Christian values, what comes to mind? Christian values can sometimes sound complicated or reserved for people who go to church every Sunday or study theology. But at their core, these values are about how we treat each other in daily life, how we see ourselves, and how we try to make the world a better place—starting right where we are. Whether you grew up hearing Bible stories or you’re just curious, Christian values aren’t a secret code; they’re straightforward, practical, and can positively impact anyone’s life.
What Are Christian Values?
Christian values are principles that come from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. They aren’t just rules to follow—they’re qualities and attitudes that help us build good character and strong communities. The heart of Christian values is love: love for God, and love for other people. If you remember nothing else, remember this—Christianity puts love at the center.
But love isn’t the only value. Christians try to live by faith, humility, compassion, integrity, forgiveness, generosity, justice, self-control, hope, and perseverance. Let’s break down what each of these means in everyday language.
Core Christian Values Explained Simply
Love
What it means: At the top of the list is love. Jesus said the most important command is to “love God with all your heart” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” This isn’t just romantic love—it’s caring, kindness, and respect for everyone you meet, no matter who they are.
Why it matters: When you put love first, things like jealousy, hate, and selfishness become less important. Loving others builds strong friendships, families, and communities.
Faith and Trust
What it means: Faith is believing in God even when you don’t have all the answers. Trust means relying on God’s plan, especially when life doesn’t go as expected.
Why it matters: Faith helps people stay hopeful during tough times and gives them courage to face challenges. Trusting in something bigger than yourself can bring peace and confidence.
Humility
What it means: Humility is recognizing you don’t know everything and being willing to learn from others. It’s not putting yourself down, but understanding your strengths and weaknesses.
Why it matters: Humility makes it easier to work with others, allows for good relationships, and helps people avoid arrogance and pride.
Compassion and Generosity
What it means: Compassion is caring about people’s problems and wanting to help. Generosity is being willing to give your time, attention, or resources to others, even when it’s inconvenient.
Why it matters: Compassion and generosity make the world a kinder place. Simple acts—like listening to a friend or helping a neighbor—make a big difference.
Forgiveness and Grace
What it means: Forgiveness means letting go of grudges and resentments, even when someone has hurt you. Grace is giving people kindness and second chances, just as God does.
Why it matters: Not forgiving leads to bitterness and stress. Forgiving frees you and helps relationships heal. Grace helps everyone grow and change for the better.
Integrity and Honesty
What it means: Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one’s looking. Honesty is telling the truth and being trustworthy.
Why it matters: Integrity and honesty build trust. People can count on you, and you can feel proud of your actions.
Justice
What it means: Justice is about fairness—making sure people are treated right and wrongs are corrected.
Why it matters: Standing up for justice means protecting those who can’t protect themselves and working to make the world better for everyone.
Self-Control
What it means: Self-control is making good choices, even when you’re tempted to do otherwise. It’s thinking before acting and not letting emotions rule you.
Why it matters: Self-control helps keep relationships healthy, avoid regrets, and reach personal goals.
Hope and Perseverance
What it means: Hope is staying positive, even when things are tough. Perseverance is not giving up, even when progress is slow.
Why it matters: Hope encourages you to look for solutions and keep moving forward. Perseverance helps you overcome obstacles in life.
How to Live Out Christian Values
It’s easy to talk about values, but living them takes real effort. Here are simple ways to put Christian values into practice day by day.
Serve Others
Serving others doesn’t always mean big gestures. It can be as simple as helping someone carry groceries, volunteering in your community, or offering a listening ear. Jesus set the example by washing his disciples’ feet, showing that true leadership comes from serving.
Respect All People
Every person matters—no exceptions. Christians believe every human is made in God’s image, which means everyone deserves respect, kindness, and dignity no matter their background, beliefs, or differences.
Pursue Goodness
Doing what’s right isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. This means being honest, keeping promises, and standing up for what you believe in. It’s about making choices you can be proud of.
Be Devoted to One Another
Being committed to family, friends, and community means showing up when it counts, supporting each other, and celebrating together. Loyalty and care strengthen relationships and build trust.
Why These Values Matter Today
In a world that can seem divided or stressed, Christian values offer a way to bring people together. Love, forgiveness, and respect can heal old wounds and build bridges. Integrity and justice create fairness. Compassion and generosity make communities stronger.
You don’t have to be perfect—no one is. But aiming to live by these values can help you grow, build meaningful lives, and leave a positive mark on those around you.
Taking the First Step
Whether you consider yourself religious or not, you can practice these values. Try reaching out to someone in need, noticing the good in others, or forgiving someone who hurt you. Show kindness in your words and actions.
Christian values are not just for Sundays or special occasions—they’re for every day. They invite you to live with purpose, treat others with respect, and make the world a better place, one small act at a time.
Conclusion
Christian values are simple but powerful—love, faith, humility, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, integrity, justice, self-control, hope, and perseverance. They’re not just about religion; they’re about building character and making a difference. When we live them out, even in small ways, we help create a kinder, more caring world. So let’s talk about Christian values—and, even more, let’s live them.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 