COUNCIL FOR THE RESTORATION OF FILIPINO VALUES (CRFV)
Civil Service Commission Accredited Learning and Development Institute
"We believe that the values of Love of God, Stewardship of Resources, Sanctity of Marriage, Truthfulness, Selfless Love, Respect for Authority, need to be enhanced among the government officials and employees to enable them to have the moral strength to resist the temptations of corruption by living Godly lives."
WEEKLY VALUE FOCUS
WEEK 37: SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is the condition of being spiritual rather than the performance or compliance of religious rites, ceremonies, rituals, or obligations. It was derived from the belief that we are created beings with three elements or aspects: body, soul, and spirit. The spirit forms part of the nature of a person that eventually reflects his/her personality and lifestyle. The body disintegrates into the ground when buried but the spirit remains alive.
In nature, the spirit can either be sinful or holy. It can be sinful when it is accustomed to sin but it can be redeemed by repentance, internal cleansing, and believing in the power of God. Once redeemed, the person transits from the old life to a new one. It creates a genuine transformation in a person which brings him/her back to his/her original nature – the very nature of God. Without faith in God, a person remains to have a sinful life because frailty or vulnerability. On the other hand, if a person have faith in God and allows Him to rule and takeover his/her life, he/she can achieve holiness and righteousness because his/her nature is continuously renewed, and thereafter conform to His likeness. This gives the person the capacity to resist all forms of temptation. Spirituality becomes the foundation of the person for a holy living. It is very important to keep the renewed spirit strong to resist anything that defiles our body and soul. Most Filipinos believe in God. Even our Constitution implores His aid as provided in the Preamble. Thus, Filipinos are expected to live up to this, and are expected to live a holy or consecrated life. With spirituality at work, we can expect incorruptibility among the public servants because they will start to live a fasted life. Temptation in the corrupt system can be damaging and only those with strong spirituality can endure and hold their ground to stand for what is upright. If our faith in God is strong, no matter how wicked the surrounding can be, we cannot be shaken because we know that God is on our side and is backing us up. Whatever evil schemes the wicked will plan, it will be thwarted and put to naught because God Himself will act. With the foregoing discussion, there is a dire need for spirituality to be observed and practiced by every public servant. It is beyond being devoted to one’s religion but being holy in the inside. It is not occasional but a lifestyle. It is allowing the Holy nature to prevail over our selfish ambitions and desires. Live by the spirit by yielding to His Word and feeding ourselves with His Words that give life. For if we live by the spirit, we will not gratify the sinful desires of the flesh.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INPUT“Be mindful of the things of the spirit, not only of the things of the flesh; lay for yourselves treasures in heaven and not only here on earth.”
These are words that could make some people either cringe or feel awkward. But why? We all live and we all die. It’s just a matter of time. Therefore, we have to invest not only on our natural but spiritual life as well. “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul.” Spirituality is something we all have to face whether we want it or not. As a man is not only made of physical things, we have to cater to his other needs such as spiritual, mental and emotional. Man is a wholistic person composed of spirit, soul and physical body. Therefore, other needs, such as spiritual needs, should be met for his well-being; otherwise, he will be left wanting for more. An explicit example of this is the successful suicide cases of famous people. Checking the records, many famous people committed suicide mostly for reasons of unfulfillment, depression or unhappiness. Ironically, these people like Robert Willians, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley who make people entertained on stage should have had the happiest lives. However, they still claim that they lack something, describing it as a “void” that no fame , possession or money can fill. Perhaps, one thing that they missed out on is the fact that not all their needs as individuals are met. By definition, spirituality speaks of a person’s concern about his soul and spirit instead of the material things in this world. Spirituality goes beyond material things, thus, transcending the feeling of satisfaction brought about by material possessions, high achievements and bodily pleasure. It also goes beyond rituals and traditions. It is something far bigger than religion itself. That’s why even the religious devout may feel empty and unsatisfied with life. A recent suicide committed by a megachurch associate pastor in California shook some people recently. Many were asking why such a person considered to be a man of God took his own life considering the fact that he should have been satisfied with his own life. Well, it may be attributed to how he personally defined spirituality. You see, being a pastor, priest or minister does not guarantee a person’s spirituality. Simply put, an office cannot bestow the man what he does not really possess inside. Regardless of what robe you put in him if he does not have the necessary ingredients, he still fails to perform. Spirituality is something that only the Creator itself can satisfy. He alone knows how humans are wired and He knows how to satisfy that need. Without a real connection with Him, people’s lives are void regardless of the good works they have done for their country and fellowmen, their high achievements and the religious affiliations they associate themselves with. Therefore, be spiritual, not religious! (CRFV) ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! Transforming the Nation Through Values 2nd Edition |
CRFV Highlights
We are part of a generation of "BREED WITHOUT GREED". A radical opposition to corruption; Godly seeds in the Land who have chosen to make a difference; standing up against all forms of wickedness and winning by righteousness!
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CRFV was recently appointed as the implementing Civil Society Organization of the Values Restoration Program (Civil Service Commission Announcement No. 40 s. 2013) empowering the organization to deliver its advocacy to all Constitutional Bodies, Departments, Bureaus and National Government Agencies (NGAs); Local Government Units (LGUs); Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) with original charters; and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
There is a nationwide launching and discussion of a common value each week. |
The Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV) is a non-government organization (NGO) dedicated to the effort in transforming the Filipino public servant and the local government leadership to subscribe to the Code of Ethics and Values that shall provide our nation, the Philippines, with righteous, incorruptible, and sincere service towards a graft free society through the help and guidance of the word of GOD consistent to the exemplary life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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