PRINCIPLES FOR THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE
I
was recently looking over notes I had written from time to time and found a
list that I would like to share. It gives principles that are important in
fully following Jesus.
1. Value what God is doing in the lives of others. Too
often we get so entangled in our own little world that we dismiss the
importance of the work God is doing in and through others around us. As true
believers we are all working toward the same goal. Each part connects with the
whole. So, let’s recognize others’ part in God’s Kingdom.
2. Value the message God gives to you through others.
God speaks to us in various ways, whether through His written Word, or directly
into our hearts, or through a fellow Christian. We need to learn to hear the
voice of God when He speaks, regardless of the vessel He uses. Sometimes we may
brush off a word from a fellow believer as just their opinion when God has
given them a message for us. We need to discern the difference, so we won’t
miss what God is saying to us. We won’t do that if we have an attitude that we
know more than they do. And we may, but if God sent them with a message, it’s
because they have some perspective we don’t have. Listen.
3. Stop trying to work out every situation on our own -
There are times we need help. I need help and you need help. Just think of the
times you went through a hard situation, and a friend came alongside you. It
makes all the difference in the world. Embrace it.
4. Confess that I am not invincible. Only God is and I
need Him. Acknowledge Him foremost from the very beginning of a situation. Never
wait until you have tried to fix the situation and made it even worse. Yet even
then God will hear us.
5. Think less about works and more about Jesus. We can
become so “works” oriented that we fail to connect with the One for whom we are
working. We are to do the works of God. But first, we must be vitally connected
to the God of the works. If we lack the power of the Holy Spirit working
through us, we are unable to do the works of God.
6. Spend time with Jesus without trying to write a
message or a song. Many may not have a problem at all with this one, but I do
and am pretty sure some others do too. It can affect our intimacy with Jesus
when in the middle of Him speaking to us we interrupt by writing something down
feverishly, so we won’t forget it. It interrupts the flow of His presence.
7. Sing to Jesus when you are alone. It’s easy to sing
along with the choir or praise team in church, but what about when it’s just
you and Jesus? Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise
shall continually be in my mouth.” Praising God is refreshing to our
souls. It also honors Him.
8. Find uninterrupted time with Jesus. It is astonishing
to know God, will converse with us, but He does. So, take that time as sacred,
the best part of our day.
9. Don't count your merits, but the unmerited mercy of
God in your life. Our “merits” don’t belong to us because they were deeds done
by the Holy Spirit of God through our earthen vessel. If we take pride in all
we have accomplished in our lives, we discredit the mercy and power of God
through whom we have been enabled to accomplish anything and everything we have
ever done.
10. Stop trying to fix everything and everyone that is
wrong. Instead, take it or them to the Lord in prayer. He is the only One Who
has the wisdom and ability to straighten things out because He alone knows the
hearts and intents of people.
11. What time we are afraid, we must learn to trust in
God. Times when fear tries to overtake us, we can trust God to deliver us. He
is faithful, and we need to exercise our faith in him. Rather than worrying
about situations, which is a sin, we are to learn to trust God because He is
faithful in every circumstance.
12. Stop critiquing every song leader,
musician and singer and just worship Jesus! This may be toughest for the song
leaders, musicians and singers among us. If we are not careful, we can allow
our natural musical instincts to block the flow of worshiping God in Spirit and
in Truth. Don’t allow that to happen. Release yourself to worship Jesus regardless
of the ability or inability of the leader. Instead Keep your eyes on Jesus.
13. Worship from the inside out. Worship that is only an
outward show, is worthless. We have all seen and heard singers who, with a
great show of their abilities, wowed the audience. But God is looking for
worship from the heart. Isaiah 29:13 tells us, “These people draw near with
their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed
their hearts far from Me,” Worship God from your innermost
being. You may not have the best vocal skills in the world, but God wants to
hear you sing to Him from your heart.
14. Consider the overwhelming glory and power of His
presence. When the Spirit of God is there, everyone knows it. His power and His
presence bring His glory among us. We should never take that lightly but bow
our hearts in His presence in awe of His greatness. Sometimes silence is the
greatest respect we can show in those times.
15. Consider that it is only by God’s mercies that we are
not consumed. We are neither worthy or righteous on our own. If not for the
righteousness of Jesus Christ being bestowed on us, we would be condemned
eternally. Praise Him for His mercy.
16. Come to the end of me and submit to Jesus' control.
There comes a time in every life that we either surrender all that we are and
all we have to Jesus, or we reject Him and His mercies. I have chosen to
surrender my life to Him and have His merciful keeping of my soul in this life
and the next.
17. Want what God wants. When we give up this world’s
desires for the kingdom of God, we will have the desires that God has. We no
longer want the things of this world but have entered the kingdom of God. So,
our “wants” are God-ward instead of worldly. We are free from the pull of this
world.
18. Do everything for the glory of God, not for selfish
gain. Our lives are lived to show God’s glory to this world and show His Light
so the world can see His glory and turn to Him. Remember that in all we do.
19. Walk in love – Love for God and love for our fellow
man. True love will shine the light of Jesus Christ so others can see and be
made free in His Truth.
20. Lay aside criticism, anger and irritation we may have
with other people or our circumstances. These things only serve to turn us from
following God with clarity, faith and love.
21. Spend more time in God’s presence. We can spend every
moment of every day with the Lord. He is with us always; so we need to
acknowledge His presence as we go about our daily duties and asking His
guidance and direction in all that we do.
22. Pray in the Spirit. God has given us the gift of the
Holy Spirit so we can pray in the Spirit Who always prays in the will of God.
We need to take advantage of this great gift He has given us. If you don’t have
Him, ask Him now.
23. Don’t be cynical of or criticize others.
It’s
easy to find fault with someone when we are on the sideline looking into their
situation. We are not to judge them according to our own view of their
situation.
24. Honor those over us. If someone is in a position over
us, whether we agree with them or not, we are to treat them with respect. If
they are not worthy of respect, God will deal with them. Only if they demand us
to disobey God are we to disobey them.
25. Forgive and leave it in the past.
Unforgiveness is like a weight that will drag us down mentally, emotionally,
physically and spiritually. It harms us more than the one from whom we withhold
forgiveness.
These principles I have
found to be helpful in my life. I hope they will be yours, too.
