Found recorded within the Bible are many important principles that are worth our consideration. Often times these principles contain timeless biblically oriented truths that we overlook. In this article we want to look at some of these important principles found in the Word of God.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE DOES NOT LICENSE IRRESPONSIBLE MORAL CONDUCT – God, as a being of love, created man in His own image (1 John 4:1; Genesis 2:26). When He did so, He made man a rational creature endowed with free will. In ancient times Joshua challenged the Hebrews to choose whom they would serve based on that freedom (Joshua 24:15). Many in our day have adopted the philosophy of the Israelites in the       days of the Judges when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). The secular world, along with some in the church, have determined that due to their having freedom of choice they have a license for immorality. However, this is not true. It is said of the Nicolaitans, of whose work the Lord hated, (Revelation 2:6), that they advocated the practice of idolatry and sexual looseness under the guise of Christian­ “liberty.” However, Christian liberty is not that a man can do what he pleases and still please God. It is that he is free to do what God pleases, or pleases God (Galatians 5:13).

MIGHT DOES NOT MAKE RIGHT –The ancient Chaldeans were considered by the prophet Habakkuk as those “whose might is his god.” (Habakkuk 1:6, 11). There seems to be numerous spiritual descendants of that thought today, even within the church. Those that have been influenced by the philosophy that this is a dog-eat-dog world follow this way of life. To these self is enthroned in their hearts. It matters little who they step on in their pursuit of their goals. However, those who seek an eternal relationship with God will repudiate the “iron rule” that “might makes right” and will replace it with what has been called the “golden rule” (Matthew 7:12). This “golden rule” obligates us to treat others as we wish to be treated. Anything less is less than what God demands!

THE MAJORITY WAY IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY OF TRUTH – Simply because the majority views something to be right does not mean that it is. So many seem to be persuaded by what some have called “mob psychology”. They have what others have called, “the herd instinct.” They are easily intimidated by numbers. The statement “everybody else is doing it” is a classic example of this. ­To these individuals, their conduct is determined by who they are with. Such a life style, though, is based upon a wrong foundation. It violates plain statements and examples of the Word of God (Exodus 23:2; Jeremiah 9:3). Jesus clearly sets forth the truth that the way of the majority is the broad way which leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13, 14). To some the religious motto is, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” In other words, what the majority approves of so does God. But the reality is, the reverse is true. The way of Noah, Lot, Elijah, Christ and the Apostles was the way of quality and not quantity. Every area of our life is to be measured by the heavenly standard rather than a worldly one.

WHAT IS LAWFUL IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT IS ETHICAL – There are those who rationalize their unholy conduct by the stale cliché, “Well, it’s legal.” They are unmindful of the biblical warnings to lawmakers that they are not to pervert the moral or ethical principles of the Lord. We should always remember that human law is just that, human law. In many states gambling is legal, but that does not mean it is right in the sight of God. On January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court legalized abortion, but that does not mean God legalized it. In many places prostitution is legal, but it will never be sanctioned by God. Promiscuous divorce and remarriage is legal, but God views it differently. While the Christian is to respect the law and be submissive to its ethical demands, bad laws can never be a cloak for sinful conduct (Romans 13:1-7). This is why we, as Christians, are to keep ourselves informed of the responsibilities of God’s law (Galatians 6:2).

Putting these principles and other like them, into practice in our lives will help us to better live our lives as God would have us.

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