Stop living according to Christian principles
…”Having a form of devotion but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:5)
God never called you to live according to Christian principles. He calls you to be in a relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ. One of the weaknesses of the church today is that we teach people doctrine without relationships.
The Western Church is big on ten-step programs, “how-to” methods, and acrostics to illustrate memorable ideas. There is a place for establishing principles for changing negative behavior. However, we are not called to a relationship with doctrines, but to a relationship with the living God.
Living according to principles is equivalent to living according to Old Testament law. It is rooted in the Greek system of learning and relies on our own strength rather than being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. A principle-based life is a powerless life. This makes our Christian experience a religion rather than a relationship. “But if you are under the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal 5:18).
We read about doctrine-based followers in the Book of Acts, “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers gathered together at Solomon’s Pillar. No one dared to join them, even though the people respected them” (Acts 5:12-14). There was a group of followers who loved being taught but never entered the game.
The prophet Jeremiah tells us about the nature of God and His will for every believer.
This is what Jehovah says: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, or the strong man in his might, or the rich man in his wealth, but let him who boasts boast in this that he understands and knows me, that I am Jehovah, who works kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight, says Jehovah. (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Friend, are you guilty of living your life based on principles instead of knowing the Author of them?
Invite Jesus to be Lord of your life and start spending time with Him every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in every moment of your day.
