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Great Christian Principles

Great Christian Principles

 

Christianity is based upon great principles or truths. Often they are expressed in analogies or comparisons to things in the natural world. These laws or principles are just as true, even more so, than the physical realities upon which they are based. We need to be reminded of these great principles. If we do not know them or if we live contrary to them, we will fail in our lives.

 

Principle of Sowing and Reaping

 

1)      “Be not be deceived; God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. He that sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption. He that sows to the spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Gal. 6:7-8.) The first part of the truth of sowing and reaping is that one reaps what one sows. The application is made quickly for us. If we give attention just to the flesh, we will reap corruption because the flesh dies. If we give our attention to spiritual things, we will reap everlasting life. No one can change this great truth. God is not mocked; we should not be deceived.

 

2)    The second part of this analogy is that we reap more than we sow. A farmer sows a few seed, but reaps many more. “Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”  (2 Cor. 9:10.) God will multiply the good seed that we sow, but the bad seed that we sow will also reap a bountiful harvest of evil.  Man is deceived in thinking that the evil that he sows is inconsequential. Think about the terrible consequences of David’s sins. He probably thought that they were not so bad. Many make destructive life choices that destroy them. Hosea wrote about those who “sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8:7.)

 

3)    A third principle is that if we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly.  If we sow bountifully, we reap bountifully. (2 Cor. 9:6.) A farmer that is stingy with the seed that he plants is hurting himself.  Sow a few seed; reap a small harvest. Sow many seed; reap a large harvest.

 

4)    The one-talent man charged his master of reaping where he had not sown. (Matt. 25:26.) God does not reap where he has not sown; all things belong to him. The one-talent man tried to shift the blame to his master for his failure to use what was given him. It is true that some men try to reap where they have not sown. Some people want a good harvest without sowing anything.

 

Applications: a) sowing spiritually; to the flesh/spirit; b) giving; sowing sparingly/bountifully; c) evangelism; sowing the seed of the kingdom; d) treatment of others.

 

Seeds Must Die in the Ground

 

1)      One of the common illustrations used in the Bible is that of planting seeds. Farming and planting gardens is necessary for people to exist. Even our industrial society is still strong in agriculture.

 

2)    Jesus once said: “The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it, and he that hates his life in this world shall kept it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serves me, him will my Father honor.” (John 12:23-26.)

 

3)    It may seem strange or unbelievable at first, that seed must first die before there can be life. But burying something in the ground usually is closely connected to death. Either it is already dead, or shortly will be dead. But with seed, putting it in the ground is necessary for life to emerge. The seed loses its identity in the process of germination and sprouting a plant. If you keep the seed in the crib, it abides alone. But if you plant it, it brings forth much fruit.

 

4)    The first application of this truth was made to Jesus’ death and the fruit that it would bring. He referred to his death as the hour in which the Son of man should be glorified. Jesus was glorified by the Father after his death on the cross.  God raised him and highly exalted him.  But also by Jesus’ death, he produced much fruit. He redeemed lost man; by the cross he drew men unto him.

 

5)    The second application that Jesus made was to us, his disciples. If we love our lives, we will lose them. But if we hate (willingly give up our lives) our lives in this world, we will keep them unto life eternal. We must not be afraid to give up our lives to follow him. This fear could be likened to some seed being afraid to fall into the ground. They do not want to be planted in the soil. They do not want to lose their identity. For those who are not afraid, they will keep their lives unto life eternal.

 

6)    This is a great principle and biblical truth. Seed must be planted and die in the ground in order to produce fruit.

 

Putting the Interests of Others First

 

1)      “The Lord thy God is one Lord. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy strength. The words that I command thee this day shall be in thy heart. And thy shalt teach them diligently to thy children. . .” (Deut. 6:4-6.) Jesus said that this was the first and greatest commandment and the second is like unto it. Thy shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matt. 22:36-38.)

 

2)    Does God command us to put him first because he is self-centered? Is he commanding us to do something that he will not do? No. Note the ending of Deuteronomy 6. In verse 24, Moses wrote that God gave his statues and commandments for our good always. The commands of God, to put him first, are for our good.  See Mark 2:27. The Sabbath command was given for man, not man for the Sabbath.

 

3)    Paul wrote that we should be kindly affectioned to one another in love, in honor preferring others. (Rom. 12:10.) He then likened our relationships in the church to the members of the human body. Each member is dependent on others. Each member should seek the well-being of the body first. In doing so, each member is healthy and happy. If one part of the body hurts, all hurt.

 

4)    The greatest example is the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus was equal with God and in heaven. Yet, he humbled himself and took on the form of a man and a servant. He submitted to death for us; even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:1-11.) There is no greater example of one putting the interests of others first. Then Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.” (2:5.)

 

5)    Other examples are: a) The harlot who told King Solomon to spare the child; in no wise slay he, said she. Solomon’s wisdom came from the fact that he understood something about mothers; that is, they will always put the interests of the child first; b) Queen Esther said to her uncle, “If I perish, I perish.” (4:14.); c) Paul the apostle told the Corinthians that he would gladly spend for them, though the more abundantly I love you, I am loved less.  (2 Cor. 12:12-14.)

 

The First Shall be Last; Last, First

 

1)      “But many who are first shall be last and the last first.” (Matt. 19:30, Mark 10:31.) This seems to be unfair and an odd principle in the Lord’s Kingdom. But it is an important one to learn.

 

2)    Jesus told the parable of the laborers in the vineyard immediately after this statement in Matthew’s account. (Matt. 20:1-16.) Therefore, the principle is stated before and after the parable so we would not miss it. What does it mean?

 

3)    In the story, Jesus taught that workers who went to work at the beginning of the day, the third hour, sixth hour and eleventh hour. The owner of the vineyard make an agreement with the workers what they would be paid. At the end of the day, he paid all the workers the same amount, the agreed upon amount. But those who worked all day complained about it. Then Jesus said, the first shall be last and the last shall be first in his Kingdom

4)    Is this unfair? No, it was the owner’s money and he kept his word. He did not lie to them. If an owner wants to be generous to those who worked only one hour, does he not have the right?

 

5)    This parable teaches that the Lord’s Kingdom is different from the kingdoms of the world. In addition, redemption is not a matter of earned wages. (Rom. 6:23.) Salvation is a gift from God. It is a matter of grace. Those who put themselves first will find themselves last. Those who think that they are last in God’s view will be put first.

 

6)    Jesus told about a man who prepared a banquet and invited guests. He taught that when you go to the feast, do not go to the chief seats and put yourself first before others. But rather take the lower seats and allow the host to honor you if he wants you to move up to a higher seat. (Luke 14:8-11.) “For whosoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.” (14:11.) “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10.)

 

The Servant is the Greatest

 

1)      Probably, one of the most misunderstood Christian principles is that the greatest among you shall be your servant. Jesus said, “You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you. And whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  (Matt. 20:25-28.)

 

2)    Jesus did not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matt. 20:28.) We should imitate the life of Jesus in regard to serving others.  This is a great Christian truth.  If we serve one another, we will not seek to lord it over or rule over others. There is a tendency among men to seek higher ground over others. Jesus served us; we ought to serve one another. Jesus has declared the servant the greatest.

 

3)    In bold contrast to how kingdoms of the world operate, the Lord’s Kingdom reverses the order. The last shall be first; the first last. The servant is the greatest. Since this is true, we should not think that it is a lowly task to serve others; we ought not to seek to rule over others.

 

4)    Jesus died for us; this is the greatest act of service to others.  But he, during his life, washed the feet of his disciples. John 13 is one of the greatest chapters expressing this great truth. Jesus, the Creator and Lord, washed dirty feet. Jim McGuiggan wrote that there were twelve lords and one servant in that upper room!

 

5)    Having a foot-washing service is not what Jesus meant. He wanted a continuous foot-washing service, not just an hour each week. He meant real foot-washing, not just wetting clean feet and drying them with a towel.

 

Someone Else Can Take Your Place

 

1)      In the Old Testament, every year Israel confessed their sins on the head of a scapegoat. (Lev. 16:8-26.) There were two goats: one was killed and the other one was sent out into the wilderness bearing the sins of Israel.

 

2)    This ancient practice taught the Jews that it was possible for someone else to bear man’s sins. They were accustomed to offering sacrifices which also taught that our sins could and must be atoned for outside of one’s own effort or righteousness.

 

3)    Our justice system on earth does not allow for another to take the place of the criminal. No one can take the place of one convicted of capital offenses. Parents are not allowed, even if they desired, to take the place of their children in civil or criminal justice. David cried out in anguish when his son Absalom was killed in battle. He wished he could have died in the place of his son.

4)    But sins are such that they must be borne by another. Man cannot atone for his owns sins. This is a great biblical principle and truth. Sins are so ugly and ungodly that even a good man cannot atone for the sins of the ungodly.

 

5)    In God’s system of justice, only God can atone for man’s sins. This is the reason for Jesus’ death on the cross. Barabbas was set free and Jesus, though innocent, went to the cross. Barabbas well represents all of us. Jesus took our place. Our sins have been fully atoned and nothing else is needed or can be offered. You do not offer part of the sacrifice for your sins and Jesus supplies what you cannot do. Our sins are paid in full at the cross.

 

6)    Faith means that you trust in Another for your salvation. “The just shall live by faith” is probably one of the most misunderstood principles and truths in the Bible. But it is simple. It means that someone took your place and you trust in Him for your salvation.

 

7)    There are only two possible ways for a man to be righteous; he is either righteous on his own (self-righteousness), or God declares you righteous based upon the righteousness of Another. In the Bible we declared righteous; this is the meaning of justification. We are guilty, but God justifies us through His Son. Upon what principle? Faith, not works of righteousness which we have done. (Titus 3:5, Rom. 10:3.) “Faith in his blood” is the basis for our salvation and the condition upon which God declares us righteous.

 

8)    It is interesting that in Greek the words, justification and righteousness, are the same word. S also are the words, justify and righteous. The word, justify, tells us how we are righteous. God has declared that we are righteous on the basis of trust in His Son. We are not righteous on our own. If we were, we would not need the word, justify.

 

9)    In order to make clear this principle or truth that another can toke our place, the Bible uses several phrases: “the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18), “God made him to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21), and “by his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).

 

10) Someone else took our place. Jesus is the only one who can take our place. Mohammed, the Dalai Lama, Hira Krishna, Joseph Smith, Moses, or any other cannot take man’s place.

 

11)  Paul also raised an interesting point; that is, for whom is one likely to die. Is it the ungodly man or the good man? Paul said that someone might offer to die for a good man, but Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. (Rom. 5:6-8.)

 

Light and Darkness

 

1)      This is a common analogy in the Bible because it is easy to understand. Every day we have light and darkness. What is the principle? There are many principles. Just as there is physical light and darkness, so also is there spiritual light and darkness. Here are just a few of the many principles.

 

2)    The world is made of two parts spiritually: light and darkness. We walk in one or the other of these two worlds. There are only two.

 

3)    God’s Word gives light to our pathway in life. (Psalm 119:104-105.) If we reject his Word, we walk in darkness and cannot see where we are going.

 

4)    Men light a candle and put it on a candlestick so others may see. They do not hide the light under a basket. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. So let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Those who have received the light may bless others by letting that light shine. Jesus said, You are the light of the world. (Matt. 5:14-16.)

 

5)    Jesus is the ultimate and real light of the world. (John 8:12.) Since he is pure and sinless, he is the only true light of the world. If we follow him, we can safely see our way home.

 

6)    The light of the body is the eye; that is, we receive light through the eyes. (Matt. 6:22.) If our eyes are healthy or have a single purpose, our bodies shall be full of light. If our eyes are evil or bad, the body will be filled with darkness. Do we want to see? Some are willingly blind. They see physically, but cannot see spiritually. The healing of blind men in the Gospel accounts plays a major role. Jesus came to open our eyes that we may see. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

 

 

   

 

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