Team Impact Christian University

BIBLICAL EXCELLENCE for students Team Impact Christian University

What is a principle? It is that which is built within a person that governs his life, conduct, behavior, course of action. God is a God of principles. His principles constitute God's divine rule of conduct in the believer. There is a great difference between principle and law. Law is outward or external demands - "do's and don'ts". Principles, motivate, inform, and restrain from within. The principles Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7 are the measuring rod by which we judge our spiritual growth in God. They spell out the life of the Spirit. These principles cannot be legislated; they can only be implemented by the Holy Spirit. Through the work of the Spirit in our lives, they are part of a process in the believer whereby God takes us from one level to another level. Our Father's house has many levels (John 14:2). Paul says in Philippians 3:12-16, "where unto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule." The Greek word used here for "rule" is kanon, a straight rod used as a ruler or measuring instrument. The word came to serve for anything regulating the actions of men as a standard or principle. Following the principles laid down in the Word of God and applied in our lives, let us press toward the mark for the prize of the high (or upward) calling. We are to be moving ahead from level to level, from faith to faith, from strength to strength, and from glory to glory. God is preparing a people who are going to rule and reign with Him (I Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; 11:15; 12:1-5). It is time for more Christians to become less preoccupied with their future home, Heaven, and more interested in what God wants to do in our current home. God wants to establish His kingdom on the earth, and, glory to God, He wants to do it through us!