Applying Biblical Authority to Extrabiblical Principles Daily
Applying biblical authority to extrabiblical principles daily involves a continuous process of discerning and living out God's will in all areas of life, guided by Scripture. This means actively seeking to align one's conduct with biblical teachings, even in situations not explicitly detailed in the Bible [2].
The Bible provides foundational principles for daily conduct. For instance, believers are called to believe God, fear Him, love Him, and obey Him [2]. This includes following Christ's example, living righteously, soberly, and godly [2]. Specific examples of righteous living include walking honestly [1, 2] and exercising liberality towards others, especially the poor and those in need [4]. Such liberality is pleasing to God and is characteristic of saints [4].
A key aspect of applying biblical authority is the concept of "today." The author of Hebrews, citing Psalm 95:7-11, emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's voice "today" [7, 9]. This means that scriptural instructions and exhortations are perpetually relevant and require immediate attention [7]. The call to "exhort one another every day" serves to guard against the deceptive and hardening power of sin [8]. This daily vigilance is crucial because believers are responsible for exercising their own judgment, weighing arguments, and discerning truth [6].
The application of biblical principles extends to various aspects of life, including decision-making. Decision is necessary for serving God, requiring individuals to seek God with their whole heart, keep His commandments, and follow Him fully [5]. This stands in contrast to a divided service or double-mindedness [5]. The Bible also encourages believers to "number our days" so that they may "apply our hearts unto wisdom" [3]. This wisdom guides daily choices and actions.
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.15.2 → Eph.4.25 (confidence: 15 votes)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Psalms “Psalms 90:12 (Geneva1599) — Teach vs so to nomber our dayes, that we may apply our heartes vnto wisdome.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:15: While it is said today,.... Exhort one another, and hold fast Christ and his Gospel, and faith and confidence therein; what follows is a repetition of the citation in Heb 3:7 in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of moment, and great concern; and that Scripture instructions and exhortations are of perpetual use. in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of momen”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:13: 3:13 Using the word “today” from Ps 95:7, the author challenges his hearers to warn each other every day against the deceptive and hardening power of sin.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 3:7: Exhortation from Psa 95:7-11, not through unbelief to lose participation in the spiritual house. Seeing that we are the house of God if we hold fast our confidence . . . (Heb 3:6). Jesus is "faithful," be not ye unfaithful (Heb 3:2, Heb 3:12). The sentence beginning with "wherefore," interrupted by the parenthesis confirming the argument from Psa 95:7-11, is completed at Heb 3:12, "Take heed," &c. Holy Ghost saith--by the inspired Psalmist; so that the words of the latter are the words of God Himself. To-day--at length; in David's day, as contraste”