LIVING THE TRUTH
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES FOR MY LIFE IN CHRIST
My Love to God, and my Saviour Jesus Christ
1. I must love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment, for all that follows is included in this. Mark 12:30
2. The service of God must be first in my life. Nothing else is more important. Matthew 6:33
3. It should be my constant desire to do all the Lord's work as faithfully and as diligently as possible. Matthew 24:45-47; Acts 20:28
4. I must fear Him who will utterly destroy the disobedient and the unfaithful. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Matthew 10:28; 25:30
My Worship with the Ecclesia
5. I must be faithful in my remembering of Jesus at the weekly Breaking of Bread. Nothing but sheer inability to get there should keep me from this service.
Matthew 26:26,28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:42; 20:7
6. I should be at the meeting early and see that the meeting starts promptly. Slackness does not honour Christ. Romans 12:11; 1 Corinthians 14:40
7. I should meet my brethren and sisters with a warm, friendly, cheerful greeting. John 13:34: Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9
8. In all the services I should try to concentrate with alert mind on all that is said and done.
1 Corinthians 10:31; 11:29
9. If called upon to pray in public, I should pray humbly and in simple language.
Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; Ecclesiastes 5:2 ».
10. By giving generously to the ecclesial collection, I am giving to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 8:12-15; 9:6,7 '
11. I should put all possible effort and pare into my preparation for ecclesial duties.
1 Timothy4:12-16; 2Timothy2:15
My Private Worship
12. I must pray on my own, every morning and night at least
Luke 18:1; Matthew 7:7; 6:9-13
13. I must thank God for everything, even the most ordinary things, and say a short grace for every meal. Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15
14. I must read the Scriptures thoughtfully every day, thanking God for them and asking Him to help me to understand them better. John 5:39; Acts 17:11; 20:32
15. By learning a number of Bible passages, I shall become able to make my own witness for Christ in daily conversation. 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6
My Duty to Everyone
16. Knowing how undeserving I am of the kindness God has shown to me, I must always seek to be kind to others, even though I may think them undeserving. Matthew 5:44-48
17. I must always be ready to help those in need, remembering the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37; 1 John 3:17; James 2:15,16
18. I must give all the loving care I can to the sick and aged, the fatherless and the widow, especially those in the ecclesia. Romans 12:13; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Hebrews 13:16
19. I should always pay bills promptly.
Romans 13:8
20. I should not try to force anybody to return any possessions of mine which they have borrowed or stolen. Luke 6:35
21. I should pray even for those who make themselves my enemies, whether in things big or small. I should respond to their evil behaviour with goodness. Luke 23:34; Matthew 5:44; 1 Corinthians 4:12,13; 1 Peter 3:9; Romans 12:21
22. My Lord's own example forbids me to use force or violence in any way. Matthew 5:39; 26:52; Romans 12:17-19
23. I should always be courteous, even when strongly provoked, and avoid all rough speech. 1 Peter 3:8,9; Hebrews 12:14
24. My everyday dealings should be strictly honest and fair. I should have nothing to do with the dishonest business practices that are common in the world. Romans 12:17
25. In all things I must do to others as I would wish them to do to me. Matthew 7:12
My Special Duty to my Brethren and Sisters
26. I should try always to see the best in others and not the worst. Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:41; 1 Corinthians 13:4,5
27. I must not be easily offended, but rather remember how much I have been forgiven by God. Matthew 5:23,24; Colossians 3:12-14
28. I should accept rebuke patiently and humbly. Hebrews 13:22; 12:1-11; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 •
29. I must be ready to forgive with all my heart any offence against myself. God will not forgive me unless I do. Matthew 18:21,22,35; Ephesians 4:31,32
30. Fighting and cursing must have no part in my life in Christ！only the world does such things. Titus 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24
31. I need to take care that weaker brethren and babes in Christ are not caused to stumble by anything I do or say.
Romans 14:13,21; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Matthew 18:6
Relationships with my Friends and Family
32. I need to be careful about the company I keep. Some friends would help me, but others would only hinder me in my efforts to follow Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:33; 5:6; Philippians 4:8
33. I should seek the company and fellowship of brethren and sisters and choose my friends in the ecclesia. 1 Peter 4:3-5; Ephesians 5:6-8; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25
34. I must avoid fornication and adultery, even though the world may think them natural. Sex outside marriage is abomination in the eyes of the Lord and is a degrading of my body, which I should consider the temple of God. I must tell friends who seek to tempt me that I will have nothing to do with that kind of life. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:13,18,19; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Matthew 5:28
35. If I am an unmarried person, holiness and loyalty to Christ demands that I should marry only in the Lord. It would be foolish for me to yoke myself for life with an unbelieving partner. 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14
36. If I am a husband, I should be kind and considerate to my wife, not sparing myself in any effort for her, even as Christ gave himself in sacrifice for the church. Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7
37. If I am a wife, I am to acknowledge my husband as head of the family, even as the church is submissive and obedient to Christ its Lord. Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1
38. Divorce is not even to be thought of: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:10,11
39. If I am a parent, I should never relax my efforts in training my children in the knowledge of the Gospel and in good behaviour. I should take care that I do not make my children resentful of the way they are treated in the home. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21
40. As a son or daughter, I should be obedient to my parents, whether they are in the Lord or not, unless they tell me to do something against the commands of Christ. I should give them proper respect, and not answer back. Ephesians 6:1,2; Colossians 3:20
My Daily Work
41. If I am an employer, I should be kind, just and considerate to my workpeople and servants. Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:5
42. If I am in the employment of others, I am to give faithful, diligent service. I must still do this even when the employer does not give what I consider to be fair conditions or fair wages. Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5
43. I must not help myself to my employer¨s property; I should not take even the smallest tWrig wthout asking permission first. Titus 2:9,10; Colossians 3:22-25
Principles for my Ecclesial Life
44. I should imitate the best examples I know in the ecclesia. 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians3:17; Hebrews 13:7
45. I should always assist the preaching of the Gospel in every way I can, especially by supporting all the meetings. I should speak to others freely at every opportunity about the Hope which I have and which is so precious to me.
Luke 12:8; Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8
46. I need to beware of false teachers and test all that I hear by the Word of Truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Peter 2:1; Matthew 24:24
47. Complaining and grumbling do much harm. If something is so wrong that I feel I cannot ignore or forget it, I must speak to the person concerned. If he does not take any notice, I must go again with an adviser. If there is still no progress, I should then lay the matter before the ecclesia. ' Philippians 2:14,15; Matthew 18:15-17
48. If I nurse a grudge or resentment against anyone, refraining from the Breaking of Bread is no remedy. The only way is to ask God to remove the resentment from my heart.
1 Corinthians 4:5; James 3:14,15; 1 John 4:20,21
49. When in the wrong about any matter, I ought to admit this freely, and ask forgiveness. James 5:16; Psalm 32:5
50. Quarrelling must not enter into my ecclesia. We are all one family in the Lord. Even feelings of bitterness are wrong.
Ephesians 4:29,31,32; Colossians 4:6; Titus 2:7,8
51. I should help to prevent the formation of parties or groups in the ecclesia. Is Christ divided? 1 Corinthians 1:12,13; 3:3,4; Philippians 2:1-3.
52. There is no race or class distinction in Christ. This is a thing God hates.
Galatians 3:28; Revelation 7:9; Acts 10:34,35; James 2:8,9
Keeping Myself Unspotted from the World
53. I should always avoid things which may provoke evil thoughts！bad films, magazines or books or any kind of low talk.
Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 5:3,4; Romans 1.'28-32; 1 Peter 2:11
54. My speech should be kept free from blasphemy and rough language. God can hear my every word. Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8; Matthew 5:37; 12:36
55. Gossip and slander are great evils, and I should, avoid them altogether.
Titus 3:2; Ephesians 4:31,32
56. Deceit and dishonesty even in little things are wrong. I must keep them out of my life. Titus 1:10; 1 Peter 2:1,21,22; Acts 5:1-11; Revelation 22:15
57. I should not sue anyone in court. This is the way of the world. The way of Christ is to suffer wrong. 1 Corinthians 6:1-7; Matthew 5:38-42
58. As a follower of Christ, I can have no part in elections and worldly politics, for politics mean faith in men！ and my faith should be in God and His coming Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Peter 2:11,12; 1 John 1:6; 2:15; John 18:36
59. Since I have given my allegiance to Christ and have been commanded to live at peace with all men, I must not join the armed forces or police or take part in any military activity. Matthew 26:52; John 18:36
60. As a follower of Christ, I can have no part in the Masonic brotherhood or any similar society. We have a greater fellowship which is not of this world. 1 Corinthians 10:20,21; 2 Corinthians 6:14,15; 1 John 1:3
61. I must guard against worldly ambition and against its evil effects upon my spiritual life and ecclesial service. 1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Timothy 3:1,2
62. Drunkenness is wrong and forbidden. My mind should always be clear to think on holy things and
not muddled with drink. Romans 13:13,14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6,7; Ephesians 5:18
63. I must keep the law of my country with scrupulous care, in the smallest as well as the big things. Only when it insists that I do things contrary to Christ is it right for me to disobey. Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13,14; Titus 3:1
Making my Life Holy before God
64. I constantly need to strive against the lusts of the flesh, and should not allow myself to be discouraged in this by the attitude of those around me. Galatians 5:16,24; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 1:3,4
65. It is wrong to give way to a hasty temper. If I have one, I must constantly fight to control it. James 1:19,20; Proverbs 16:32; 19:11
66. I must always speak the truth. Lying is a great evil. The consequences of the serpent's lie in Eden are still with us.
Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; Acts 5:1-11; Revelation 22:15
67. All that I do and say should show that I am a disciple of Jesus, and I should always be on my guard against denying him. Luke 12:8; Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8
68. I must not envy those who seem better off than myself. Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:19; Hebrews 13:5
69. I should acknowledge the Father's control and providence in my life by saying, "If the Lord will", "God willing", "By God's grace". James 4:14,15; Proverbs 3:6
70. I should keep Jesus always in mind. Especially when faced with a difficulty, I should ask myself, "What would Jesus do?" 1 Peter 2:21-23; John 13:15
71. In all things I must aim at purity and holiness, and so please my Master in heaven. Romans 6:19,22; 1 John 3:3; Hebrews 12:14
72. I believe the coming of my Lord is near. I must live as one who really believes it.
Matthew 24:44; Matthew 10:37,38; Luke 12:35-37; 2 Peter 3:13,14
How God will Help Me
73. I must never be satisfied with my efforts to please God. I am weaker than I like to admit. 1 Corinthians 10:12; Romans 5:12; 7:18-25
74. I should frequently ask God to strengthen me so that I may do better. Great help will be given to those who ask for it. Philippians 4:6,13; James 1:5,6; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:16
75. Even if I have been weak and sinned badly, I should not become discouraged and give up. If I am truly sorry for what I have done, and am determined to do better in future, God will forgive me and help me to try again. Luke 15:11-32; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:9
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