Applying Biblical Principles to Life Like TV Show Characters
Applying biblical principles to life involves a commitment to living out Christian conduct, which is rooted in belief and obedience to God and Christ [2]. This conduct is not merely a set of rules but a way of life that reflects God's character and purposes.
A foundational principle is to imitate God, primarily by expressing love in all actions [11]. This is akin to children following their parents' example [11]. Christians are called to follow the example of Christ, as seen in passages like John 13:15 and 1 Peter 2:21-24 [2]. This includes believing God, fearing Him, loving Him, and obeying Him [2]. The apostle Paul emphasizes that believers should do everything for the glory of God and avoid causing offense to others, prioritizing what is best for others over personal privilege [6]. This involves a continuous practice of "brotherly love" within the community of faith, forming a strong ethical foundation for all of life [3].
The concept of "putting on Christ" is another significant principle. This phrase, used in Romans 13:14 and Galatians 3:27, refers to receiving and believing the Gospel, adopting Christ's maxims for life, and having the mind of Christ [4, 9]. It signifies assuming the character of Christ and acting accordingly [9]. This transformation implies a change in profession and conduct, aligning one's life with Christ's interests [4, 9].
Christian conduct also involves specific actions and attitudes:
- Stewardship: Believers are considered faithful stewards of God's gifts, including spiritual gifts, which they are to manage well for God's glory [1, 7].
- Missionary Zeal: All Christians are encouraged to be like missionaries, following Christ's example, with women and children included in this call [1]. This duty is imperative and driven by the principle of Christ's love [1].
- Righteous Living: Christians are called to live righteously, soberly, and godly [2]. This includes walking honestly [2].
- Community and Family: The Bible provides guidance for various stages of life, from youth to old age [1]. Children are even described as being used by God to protect the reputation of His people [10].
The application of these principles is not limited to specific groups or times but is a continuous expectation for all believers [1, 3]. Ministers, for instance, are described as "pastors according to God's heart," who are called, qualified, and sent by Him to feed His people [5]. The principles laid out in scripture, such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount, are meant for practical application by disciples throughout history [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:1: 13:1-6 This series of practical guidelines is similar to other ethics lists in the New Testament. It describes how to love others in the community of faith, a strong ethical foundation for all of life. 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters: Literally Continue in brotherly love. This instruction applies to everyone in the Christian community (see study notes on 2:11; 3:1).”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 13:14: Put ye on the Lord Jesus - This is in reference to what is said, Rom 13:13 : Let us put on decent garments - let us make a different profession, unite with other company, and maintain that profession by a suitable conduct. Putting on, or being clothed with Jesus Christ, signifies receiving and believing the Gospel; and consequently taking its maxims for the government of life, having the mind that was in Christ. The ancient Jews frequently use the phrase putting on the shechinah, or Divine majesty, to signify the soul's being clothed with immortality, and rendered ”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 3:15: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,.... Which is to be understood not of political rulers and governors, but ministers of the word; who are "pastors" or "shepherds" under Christ the great Shepherd, and are "gifts" of his to the churches, and "according to his heart"; or "conformable to his mind", as the Arabic version; whom he calls, qualifies, puts into the ministry, and sends forth; whom he holds in his right hand, and keeps as the apple of his eye; who do his will, as the Targum, and feed men according to his heart: and as this prophecy belongs t”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:31: 10:31-33 Paul concludes his discussion by summarizing the two principles that are to guide Christian behavior in issues like this: (1) Believers are to do everything for the glory of God (see Col 3:17; 1 Pet 4:11); (2) believers are not to give offense and should avoid doing anything that would harm another person’s Christian faith (cp. 1 Cor 8:9, 13; 1 Jn 2:10). Christians’ behavior is to be guided by what is best for others rather than by personal privilege (cp. Rom 14:13-15, 19-21; 15:1-2). These two basic principles lie at the heart of Paul’s advice on”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:10: 4:10 his great variety of spiritual gifts: See Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:7-16. • Use (literally manage) them well: Believers are like managers: They have been entrusted by God, their Master, with gifts to be used to glorify him.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:13: We have here the practical application of the foregoing principles to those disciples who sat listening to them, and to their successors in all time. Our Lord, though He began by pronouncing certain characters to be blessed--without express reference to any of His hearers--does not close the beatitudes without intimating that such characters were in existence, and that already they were before Him. Accordingly, from characters He comes to persons possessing them, saying, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you," &c. (Mat 5:11). And now, continuing t”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 3:27: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ - All of you who have believed in Christ as the promised Messiah, and received baptism as a public proof that ye had received Christ as your Lord and Savior, have put on Christ - have received his Spirit, and entered into his interests, and copied his manners. To put on, or to be clothed with one, is to assume the person and character of that one; and they who do so are bound to act his part, and to sustain the character which they have assumed. The profession of Christianity is an assumption of the character of Ch”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 127:4: 127:4-5 like arrows: God uses children to protect the reputation of his people against the wicked (cp. 120:4; 7:12-13).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:1: 5:1 Imitate God . . . in everything you do: Primarily by expressing love (5:2; cp. Matt 5:44-45, 48). • because you are his dear children: Just as children follow their parents’ example, believers should follow God’s example (1 Cor 4:14-17).”