GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES - Godly Principles

Godly Principles

What are principles?  A principle is defined as "a general or fundamental truth: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption on which others are based or from which others are derived."  (Webster's Third International Dictionary)  A careful study of the Bible reveals that our heavenly Father provides fundamental directives that cover a variety of situations and aspects of life.  He does this with our eternal benefit in view.  That is in line with  what wise King Solomon wrote:  "Hear, my son, and accept my sayings.  Then for you the years of life will become many.  I will instruct you even in the way of wisdom;  I will cause you to tread in the tracks of uprightness."  (Proverbs 4:10, 11)  The key principles provided by Jehovah have a bearing on our relationship with him and with fellow humans, our worship, and our everyday lives.  (Psalm 1:1) Let us consider some of those fundamental principles.

Regarding our relationship with Jehovah, Jesus stated:  "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind."    (Matthew 22:37)  Additionally, God provides principles related to our dealings with fellow humans, such as the Golden Rule:  "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you , you also must likewise do to them."  (that doesn't mean  to be cruel  to  them, it means when someone treats you kindly, do so to them)   (Matthew 7:12; Galatians 6:10; Titus 3:2)  With respect to worship, we are admonished:  "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together."  (Hebrews 10:24, 25)  As to everyday aspects of our life, the apostle Paul says:  "Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God's glory."  (1 Corinthians 10:31) There are countless other principles in God's Word.

Principles are living, essential truths, and wise Christians learn to love them.  Jehovah inspired Solomon to write:  "To my words do pay attention.  To my sayings incline your ear.  May they not get away from your eyes.  Keep them in the midst of your heart.  For they are life to those finding them and health to all their flesh."  (Proverbs 4:20-22)  How do principles differ  from laws?  Principles provide the basis for laws. Rules, which tend to be specific, may be for some particular time or situation, but principles are timeless.  (Psalm 119:111)  Divine principles do not become outdated or pass away.  The inspired words of the prophet Isaiah prove true:  "The green grass has dried up, the blossom has withered; but  as for the word of our God, it will last to time indefinite." -Isaiah 40:8.

Next time:  GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES - Think and Act on the Basis of Principles

The Watchtower, 2002