Floating on the Barge of Biblical Principles

A challenge to step into the unpredictable waters of the Spirit-led life.

If you did a search on the internet for ‘Biblical Principles’ you would come up with many resources to give you guidance on anything from parenting to prayer, from education to eating habits, fundraising to financing a business, and the list goes on. Just about any church you attend will provide classes on many of these ‘principles’ as well. We love principles. A principle is defined as: a general truth, rule or standard that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct. There are two ‘R’ words in that definition that I want us to look at, ‘rule’ and ‘reasoning’. I find these two words intriguing due my many years living within the subculture known as the ‘Evangelical Church’. I am not talking about a denomination here, but a general characterization of a majority of the protestant denominations. (I’ll go into more detail on that subculture in another article.)
I have often heard it said that ‘we’ (referring to Christians) do not consider the Bible a ‘rule book’ and that ‘we’ are led or guided by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. And I would agree with those statements for myself. However, as I look around at the Church I see much more teaching on following these ‘rules for reasoning’ that we have come up with, than on being led and guided by the Spirit of God, that we say is living within us. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe there are some general principles found in scripture that provide us with wisdom for living, but as with all Biblical teaching there are various interpretations of what we find there. You could start with the ‘Principles of Biblical Interpretation’ which I’m certain would vary greatly depending on which theological camp is providing them for you.
Of course, I understand exactly why we tend to be drawn towards the following of these ‘principles’ rather than towards relying on the direction of the Spirit. It just seems much easier and safer. We love to have things written out in logical steps that we can follow, and know that if we follow ‘the principles’ set forth, we can be confident in accomplishing our goal and/or ‘getting it right’. Following the guidance of the Spirit isn’t always so cut and dried and requires an ongoing communication. You are totally dependent on Him as to when, and how much, of the plan He will reveal. And it seems He often doesn’t map it all out for us, but prefers to give us only step at a time directions.
Another key phrase heard often in the Evangelical church community is ‘a personal relationship with Jesus’. We are told that Christianity is not simply a religion to be followed but it revolves around having this ‘personal relationship’ with God. But if the majority of my Christian life is directed by sets of ‘principles’ that direct my reasoning, where does this personal spiritual relationship fit in? Again, I am not saying we should ignore the wisdom available in the scriptures, but am challenging the tendency to think that is all we need, or the most important part of the equation. Was it a class on evangelism that directed Peter to visit Cornelius, or Paul to go to Macedonia? Was it a decision by a missions committee after examining all the options ‘prayerfully’? No. Peter saw a vision. Paul had a dream. Paul also insisted on going to Jerusalem even though ‘through the mouths of two or three witnesses’ he was strongly advised not to go. Why did he ignore the godly advice of his friends? Because he was following a set of Biblical Principles? No, again. He said he was ‘compelled by the Spirit’ to go. His ‘personal relationship’ with Christ was so intimate that he was able and willing to follow the direction of the Spirit of Christ even when ‘the church’ around him counseled him otherwise.
Granted, I have heard, and you probably have to, people claiming to have Divine guidance to speak forth words of prophecy or judgment, or to make foolish decisions, and then in the end show themselves to be following nothing more than their own ego or their own wishful thinking. And we are all capable of fooling ourselves into believing what we want to be true. So do we take the safe route, and make decisions based only on ‘Biblically based’ reasoning, using the Bible as an all inclusive manual for life? Or do we follow in the footsteps of Paul, Peter and others, who were willing to develop a truly intimate relationship with their God, which opened them up to receive very specific direction through the Spirit? Direction that was so clear and personal that they would risk their reputations, and their lives, to follow it.
Can you live the Christian life by simply following Biblical principles? Sure you can. So why bother with something that’s so unpredictable and undefined as being led by the Spirit? Number one, because that’s what your manual for living, called the Bible, tells you to do. Number two, because you will accomplish way more for the Kingdom by taking a risk with God , than by playing it safe. And number three, life will be a whole lot more exciting and fulfilling, when you know you’re living by the Spirit, rather than a list of instructions.
So, if you’re one of those who’ve been playing it safe, not wading into the risky waters of the Spirit-led life, it’s time to kick off your shoes. It may take a little time, and a little trial and error, to get in tune with the voice of the Spirit. And if you’re like most of the rest of us, you’ll make a few mistakes and come out looking like a fool a few times (does wonders for keeping pride from blossoming to high). But each time you step out in faith and obedience, and see God lead you into the miraculous, it will make up many times over for those few times you stumbled. It is a humbling thing to know God has entrusted you with a unique and special part of His work, whether that task is something that no one else ever sees or something that is done out in the open. Don’t miss out on the adventures God has available to you. Step out into the waters of the Spirit and learn to be carried down the River of Life in the current of the Spirit, rather than the slow cumbersome barge of Biblical principles.