I’ve Never Liked Rules
They have always looked like chains, preventing me from operating on autonomy compared to principles.
It’s not that rules are bad, but they never seem to have an answer for everything.
Therefore, instead of living a rules-based life, I found that living a life of principles provides:
- Freedom and autonomy.
- Guidance on how to operate within different relationships.
- Overall life satisfaction.
Here are 4 freedoms that you can get from living governed by principles:
1. Freedom From Fear
Principles free us from the fear of punishment, primarily because of failure.
As Christians, we have always understood that failure is equal to punishment. That’s why when bad things happen to someone or even us, we often assume that it is because of something terrible we/they did.
However, the principles of mercy and love help you embrace failure instead of fearing it.
From this point of view, you have been allowed to learn from it and use it to improve.
We are not perfect and will fail, but guess what, “…a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…”
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love —1st John 4:18
2. Freedom From Relational Tension
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Love is meant to be given and not stored. And the more you give, the more you receive.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous —Matthew 5:44, 45
You give love by exercising forgiveness.
Forgiveness is letting go of other people’s violations toward you by repaying evil with good and wishing them to change so they can experience the kind of peace you experience.
You can also give love by overcompensating for other people’s failures.
Trust the other person’s capacity to grow and develop into a good person. Trusting is moving out of fear, reaching out to your brother, and telling them you believe in them regardless of the evidence.
Stand your ground when you need to. Remember, the answer is always yes unless you have to say no.
3. Freedom From Internal Tension
One of the most tormenting experiences that we face is guilt and shame.
It is what we all desire to escape from.
Leaving a life governed by love and mercy frees us from guilt and shamebecause our Father has already given usthe lovewe need to compensate for our failures.
God is the source of the love we give others, and His love has a healing propensity.
He heals us from the scars of guilt and shame by forgiving us and overcompensating for our failure to give us room to grow and learn.
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners —Isaiah 57:18
4. Freedom From Unsatisfied Desires
Weare all hungry for something greater than this world can offer.
A hunger that you will never find satisfaction at the bottom of that bottle.
Well, thank God that “…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”
The answer to your hunger and thirst is God’s unconditional love, and He has “…loved you with an everlasting love; (and) drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
So There You Have It
4 simple benefits of living a principled life.
In the comments, let us know what other freedoms you find in this lifestyle.
May the good Lord bless you!
