Death of Principles

by Steve Hale

"These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage (Jude 16, NKJV).
Any person or institution that surrenders his, her, or its principles has surrendered its integrity and influence! Jude warned that "...certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4).
When these "flatterers" made the early church "feel good," yet failed to challenge them to be holy, Jude warned:
"These are sensual persons, who cause division, not having the Spirit" (Jude 19). Jude encouraged the church "to keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21).

In other words, do not surrender you principles and values for the fad of the moment. commit yourself to "...Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

We need a return to holiness! We are living in an era where we are witnessing "the death of principles." Notice just a few principles that are dying:
1. Human Life Is Sacred. We do not even have the moral will to ban partial birth abortion, much less abortion on demand. Shame on us! Shame on our nation! Millions die while we pat our wallets and our bellies on what "good ole boys" can do for us (Jer. 5:30-31).
2. No One Is Above The Law. It does not matter what you do if you know the right people. What a disgrace! What a disgusting example to our young people! Enough money here or there, or the right connections can get you or a loved one off! How we need righteousness (2 Chron. 7:14)! How we need justice (Amos 4:12)!
3. Honesty. People routinely lie, misrepresent time charts, and cheat on taxes and exams. Whatever happened to an honest day of work (Ephesians 4:28)? Whatever happened to personal integrity?

Don't let God-given principles die (Ecclesiastes 12:1-13)! Pass them on to your children (Deut. 6:1-7). Influence as many people as you can by being a person of principle. "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich" (Proverbs 28:6).

November 15, 1998

Related Articles:

Robbing a Child of Life! -Oct 19, 1997
What Would You Call Killing a Mostly-Born Infant with a Pair of Scissors? -May 18, 1997
24 Years of Rachel Weeping! -Jan 19, 1997
It's Called Murder -Dec 01, 1996
Why Do Some Women Choose Abortion? -Jan 22, 1995

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Death of Principles by Steve Hale "These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage (Jude 16, NKJV). Any person or institution that surrenders his, her, or its principles has surrendered its integrity and influence! Jude warned that "...certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4). When these "flatterers" made the early church "feel good," yet failed to challenge them to be holy, Jude warned: "These are sensual persons, who cause division, not having the Spirit" (Jude 19). Jude encouraged the church "to keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21). In other words, do not surrender you principles and values for the fad of the moment. commit yourself to "...Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). We need a return to holiness! We are living in an era where we are witnessing "the death of principles." Notice just a few principles that are dying: 1. Human Life Is Sacred. We do not even have the moral will to ban partial birth abortion, much less abortion on demand. Shame on us! Shame on our nation! Millions die while we pat our wallets and our bellies on what "good ole boys" can do for us (Jer. 5:30-31). 2. No One Is Above The Law. It does not matter what you do if you know the right people. What a disgrace! What a disgusting example to our young people! Enough money here or there, or the right connections can get you or a loved one off! How we need righteousness (2 Chron. 7:14)! How we need justice (Amos 4:12)! 3. Honesty. People routinely lie, misrepresent time charts, and cheat on taxes and exams. Whatever happened to an honest day of work (Ephesians 4:28)? Whatever happened to personal integrity? Don't let God-given principles die (Ecclesiastes 12:1-13)! Pass them on to your children (Deut. 6:1-7). Influence as many people as you can by being a person of principle. "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich" (Proverbs 28:6). November 15, 1998 Related Articles: Robbing a Child of Life! -Oct 19, 1997 What Would You Call Killing a Mostly-Born Infant with a Pair of Scissors? -May 18, 1997 24 Years of Rachel Weeping! -Jan 19, 1997 It's Called Murder -Dec 01, 1996 Why Do Some Women Choose Abortion? -Jan 22, 1995 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM