Tuesday, March 17, 2009
looking for the principle
I would like to encourage everyone to look for the Godly principle behind the commandments in God's word. Even the ceremonial laws in the old testament were given to produce Godly character, and not just ritualism.Unfortunately we have a tendency to focus on the commandment and somehow miss the main purpose that God wants. Israel was called out from among the nations and separated to be a holy nation, the principle is to be holy not the separation. the separation was necessary to produce the desired character. The task of raising us up in to the character of God is tedious process that requires certain disciplines, looking for and recognizing the principle will help us to have the proper perspective. All the detailed process that God commanded Israel to do regarding the temple and the sacrifices, their civil laws, and the order that they were to follow had a purpose to produce the Godly character that he still desires today. Jesus came and fulfilled the principles in the law, although at times he did not keep the Sabbath or do the ceremonial hand washing or maybe some other law or tradition, he understood what his Father was after and he never failed to please his Father. In our modern culture we have certain guidelines and traditions that are given to produce the same principles, if we can recognize the principle, then we will not fall into the trap of religion or ritualism.
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I really enjoy your thoughts you share on this blog. You say "In our modern culture we have certain guidelines and traditions that are given to produce the same principles..." - what specific guidelines and traditions are you referring to, and can you give an example of where the guidelines and traditions have produced the desired result? Thanks- Aaron
ReplyDeleteBro. Aaron,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. For an example, we teach our children not say certain words that represent immorality. The word is not the problem, immorality is the problem. Our dress code, (even civil law requires decent behavior) the places we go, the things we say etc. are not just rules but are to represent Godly character. If you don’t understand the principle then it’s just rules. If you recognize the Godly character that is behind something then it won’t matter what culture you are in you will be able to live pleasing to God
Bro. Mark,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on the "principle". It is understanding the principles that allow us to develop further into deeper spiritual understanding, and to know what it means to walk in the Spirit. A by product of rules without the understanding and also without personal conviction, inevitably produces self righteousness. There most definitely is a proper way to dress "in Christ", but I don't see how it is fitting to try to legislate it. At the same time, (in my opinion) the principle must continue to be taught as such, a Godly principle and nothing less. I think there is a difference between tradition and principle.
Sis. Libby glad to have you comment,remember a tradition is simply something that is passed on from one genaration to another. within its self its nether good or bad, its the content of what is being passed down that determines whether or not its a Godly principle.
ReplyDeleteI see. The content is the defining factor. Therefore the tradition could be based on a principle, something that is beneficial to perpetuating an environment that would/could encourage Godly character. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRighteous principles are integral to our growth in grace as we hunger and thirst for righteousness we begin our walk in God learning his principles.Though the Lord wants a separate people the focus is not to be on how to seperate from the world but developing a relationship with him where he can separate us. Rules and regulations do not produce righteousness.Holiness standards do not produce righteousness. It does produce however a Pharisee. No other sect followed the law to the letter like the Pharisees yet Jesus said they were full of iniquity. Jesus did not die on the cross so we could all be spirit filled Pharisees. He came and died to fulfill his promise to write his laws on our hearts. We will be truly righteous and be able to love God with all our heart mind and soul and our neighbor as ourselves if we put our faith in that promise. read Hebrews 11 and you will find a unique correlation.God makes a promise and his servant believes that promise. That is true faith Paul says they were counted righteous for believing. So if we believe what God promises(we would be like him) believe like Abraham unwavering,then he will fulfill it in us.Let us put our faith in his promises and allow his principles do be instilled in us.let us also reject all false ideology that only causes us to judge ourselves with ourselves. Mike Smith
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