A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE

Maybe you have heard of someone having backbone and standing for the right. Maybe you have heard the saying - "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." This is the impression personal purpose or Principle gives us. Rick Renner does an excellent job describing this concept. 

PRINCIPLE IS A PERSON'S INWARD RULE....

It is a conviction of what is right and wrong; a moral foundation that determines how one sees and responds to life; a rock-solid belief system so ingrained into one’s disposition that he cannot ignore it or deviate from it. Thus, it can be called a person’s guiding principle.

Unfortunately, we live in a world today that has thrown principle to the wind.More often than not, it is a wimpish world that chooses to abandon what is right. Regretfully, even believers and spiritual leaders are often wimpish, quickly succumbing to people’s opinions and other sources of outside pressures.

So be prepared that when your inner belief system — your sense of principle — is so strong that you faithfully stand by it no matter what, you will occasionally find yourself on a collision course with the world and even with other believers who are less inclined to stand true to their convictions. -- RICK RENNER

This explanation of Principle sounds like the Scripture my driving Principle is founded from - 1 Peter 3:15.

• But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

If I do not ignore or deviate from this charge that the Holy Spirit makes through Peter, then as a Christian I will have hit the center of the mark/target. Notice the heart, what I am to guard above all (Proverbs 4:23), is where I am to start by setting "apart Christ as Lord" or enthrone Him as King of my life. Then I must ALWAYS have on the tip of my tongue, on the front burner of my brain, read to share at a moments notice "the reason for the hope that I have". This is the reason I set apart Christ in my heart in the first place, plus all His extra benefits. However, sharing this Answer to my life has to be done with the fighting gloves off - "with gentleness and respect". God is love (1 John 4:16) and I need to exemplify that too. It is all A Matter Of Principle.