Undeniable Truth # 10

UNDENIABLE TRUTH #10- PRINCIPLES MUST BE HONORED OVER PERSONALITIES It was my father that first taught me a simple definition of a principle: “it is a decision you only have to make once.” For example, if my values and biblical convictions lead me to adopt the principle: "lying is wrong" then, I can make a one time decision: "I will tell the truth". Then comes the hard part. Applying this principled conviction consistently regardless with whom I interact. Even though I determine this value once- there will be a thousand times it will be called into question and integrity demands that I stand firm on it regardless of who raises the question. One of my greatest temptations in life has been to let my principles operate on a sliding scale for those I truly love or even worse, to adjust them to get what I really want. That’s hard to admit. It hurts to say it. But isn’t that the universal disease of self that has plagued us all since the garden of Eden? You see, God had a principle of His own that day: “anyone who disobeys must die.” And, when the awesome creature that was His own handiwork defied Him, the principle had to be upheld and the punishment meted out. He held firm to the principle because it flowed from his character. He could do no less because he could be no less. Adam and Eve had a principle that had been operative in their lives: “obey the Father.” But the day came when this principle was tested and when Eve found herself interacting with a sly and charismatic person called the devil- her desire for knowledge overpowered her principle of obedience. We are flawed people. We will not live perfectly by our principles. But I am passionate about teaching our children about the power of a principled life. The world is increasingly personality driven. Decisions are made based on who is involved, who I might offend, or who I might endear to myself. The apostle Paul stated emphatically: "do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ," (Galatians 1:10). In the end it's not my intestinal fortitude that will make me a godly man. It is my love for Jesus and my desire to honor Him that will allow me to live by my convictions.