Building Maturity Through Principles

There are 4 Steps to Maturity

1. Principles of Life

What are Principles? 

A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

Where should we find correct Principles/Truth?

• We find it in the Church.

(I Timothy 3:15) That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

•   We find it also in Scripture. With the guidance of the Church.

(II Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

2. Life is affected by our Principles.

• When a principle of life is violated or neglected, breakdowns result in one or more of these basic areas in life.
• Our response to God in different areas of our life.
• Acceptance of who we are.
• Harmony with in the Family.
• Having purpose for the future.
• Having healthy friendships.
• Harmony in courtship and marriage.
• Our Management of financial affairs.

(Proverbs 10:17) The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs goeth astray.

(Proverbs 15:31) The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise. He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.

(Proverbs 6:23) Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Steps to Correct Violations of Principles

Once a breakdown in life has been traced to a violation of a principle given by the church and scripture, clear and logical steps of action are required to reconstruct thinking and direction.

(Proverbs 1:23) Turn ye at my reproof: behold I will utter my spirit to you, and will shew you my words.

(I Corinthians 11:28,31) But let a man prove himself:.........But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Look at what happens when we go against the principles of the Church and scripture.

(Proverbs 1:24-30) Because I called, and you refused: I stretched out my hand, and there was none that regarded. You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected my reprehensions. I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock when that shall come to you which you feared. When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be at hand: when tribulation and distress shall come upon you: Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning and shall not find me: Because they have hated instruction and received not the fear of the Lord, Nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my reproof.

In Conclusion:

Correction may produce an immediate solution, but further guidance of discipline from the Church and in Scripture is essential to strengthen and reaffirm the importance of the steps which were taken.