Principles or Rules?

I grew up in a rule-based household.  We did what we were told when we were told to do it, or there were consequences.  As children, we need to learn how to follow the rules our parents set down for us.  As adults, rules help people feel comfortable.  If we obey the rules we won’t get fired, arrested, or be an outcast from our peer group.

Rules Are Great

rule ro͞ol/ noun

plural noun: rules; noun: Rules

1. one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.
“the rules of the game were understood”

synonyms:
regulation, ruling, directive, order, act, law, statute, edict, canon, mandate, command, dictate, decree, fiat, injunction, commandment,  stipulation, requirement, guideline, direction; formal ordinance
“health and safety rules”

Rules help keep people in line.  They draw the edges each of us must color inside of.  Rules give us structure and allow us to play the common games of life.  But, rules don’t enable us to live.

The famous adage, “Rules are made to be broken.” In NASCAR they say, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”  All you have to do is turn on a media device, and you can see, read, or hear about people breaking rules.  From pastors to businesses, to the guy down the street. Even you and I do break or have broken rules in our lives.

Principles Give Guidance

prin·ci·pleˈprinsəpəl/noun

plural noun: principles

1. a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.  “the basic principles of living”

synonyms: truth, proposition, concept, idea, theory, assumption, fundamental, essential, ground rule “elementary principles”

Principles are the basic building blocks of our humanity.  Principles are above us, spiritual in nature.  When we live by principles we don’t have to live by rules.  We just live.  They are God-given and eternal.  If we let these principles of God guide us we can live better and more fulfilling lives.

So What Are These Principles

I’m not God and neither are you.  There is an Orthodox Christian icon called Christ Pantocrator (Ruler of the universe).  I have a friend who calls himself the Notocrator, or ruler of nothing.  He says that he wants to remind himself that he is not God.  Understanding that we are powerless over life, and other people, enables us to focus on God.

God is first others are second (Matthew 22:37-40).  You can’t keep it if you’re not giving it away.  We need to seek God’s will (Matthew 6:33) in all that we do and loving others is a key part in it.  When we don’t include others in our lives, we turn inward and can become bitter and resentful.  I can almost guarantee, someone you know needs you now or will need you in the future.  Will you be there when God wants to use you?

Love conquers all (1 Corinthians 13).  We don’t harm others because it’s a rule, but because we love God and people.  Only through a relationship with God can we truly love even our enemies as God loves us.

We need more deep people.

We don’t need more tough, strong, or angry people.  What we need are people who are willing to let God change them at their deepest level.  People who will live by God-given principles of love and share their lives with others.  We also need teachers of these principles to lead the charge.