"On Absolutes and Precepts"

Each and every day the ocean’s tides rise and fall. 

Each and every day Earth, the planet upon which we live, rotates on its axis.  In a journey of approximately 365 days, our year, it circles the Sun, the center of our solar system, a system filled with it and countless other planets, moons, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, and celestial objects.

Each and every day humankind lives with weather.  It is all around us, all the time.  An important part of our lives, we have no control over it.  Instead, it often controls and influences how and where we live, what we do, what we wear, what we eat, and our emotional and physical well-being.

Each and every day physical life begins.  Conception takes place when an egg and sperm meet, and a cocoon is provided for development and growth within the womb of the mother.  Several months later, when life can survive independently, birth takes place when an infant is delivered into this world.    

 

Each and every day physical life ends.  It may be due to age, tragedy, or a malady, but when the essence of a person leaves the body, death occurs.

Examples of absolutes, these are also known as facts of science.  Science, however, is only an observer, a discoverer, and not the originator or creator.  Whether launching a space shuttle, constructing an underwater tunnel, investigating wildlife in a jungle, or planning and initiating a plethora of projects ad infinitum, science cannot ignore these and multiple other absolutes.  It is governed and controlled by nonvariables and must operate within those bounds and limitations. 

  

Science is often portrayed as opposing and challenging God and places the burden of proof upon Him to prove His very existence.  However, even if one does not believe in God as Creator, he/she is still living life with Him, and that includes the realm of science as well.  Science may reject the Creator, but it cannot ignore the exactness and precision of all that is created, of all that is.   

  

God is an absolute.  In the same way facts of science cannot be ignored, there are basic facts about Him and His personality that cannot be overlooked when developing a relationship with Him, when living life with Him. 

Block by block, He builds atop the foundation, which is Him.  Certain principles apply, and they are absolute as He is absolute; they will never change as He will never change.

precept:  n.  a guiding principle or rule, esp. one that guides personal conduct

Precept #1:  ALL things are spiritual.

Or another way of expressing it—All things are spiritual. The base of all in this life, this world, this galaxy, this universe is spiritual, not physical.  We are a part of God’s world, and He is a spiritual being.  The need, then, is to have spiritual vision in order to see things as they really are.  Viewing life any other way is the same as looking at a black and white photograph of a sunset.  Perhaps the basic form, the skeleton as it were, is evident, but none of the color, beauty, and substance is visible.  One can look at it yet not really “see” it.  Seek, ask for “eyes that see.”  

  

Precept #2:  Things are not as they seem to be. 

“It’s bigger than a bread box.”  Adding to the first precept, this one reinforces the wisdom, foresight, intelligence, and thought that goes into our everyday lives.  Even with spiritual vision our finite mind is limited.  Mundane, everyday experiences carry with them the basis of discipline, a lesson, a crossroads—all part of the whole of life designed by the One who made us.

Precept #3:  First things first—the inner first, then the outer.  The outer without the inner is worthless.

The inner of a person is one’s spiritual part; the outer is one’s physical part.  One need only take a look in the mirror and consider where time, money, and energy has been expended in life to find the answer to the question of which has been and is the most important part. Only God can develop the spiritual part of us and to focus on the outer only is the creation of a very fragile shell.  

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…..For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

Precept #4:  If you don’t make a decision, the decision is made for you.

People often want to postpone the consideration of God in their lives into the “someday.”  Motivated by the desire to live life “my way,” there is a fear that God might mess that plan up, so He is kept at bay.  Nothing is done half-way with God, and He does require a commitment. Speaking personally, the pay-off is beyond measure and that allegiance one which has never been regretted.  Never to be forgotten is the fact that in every person’s life the time does come when there is no more “someday.”

“Whoever is not with me is against me.”

Precept #4:  If you wait to see, you’ve waited too long.

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”  This position has its problems, and the price paid for standing and living in it is a hefty one. 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Precept #6:  There is a better way.   

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways…”  

Precept #7:  There are no skipped steps; there are no shortcuts.

Life will be lived, lessons will be learned in the order planned and designed by the Master.  There is no game of “Leapfrog” in His plan. 

Precept #8:  Just keep going.

Nothing is ever gained by curling up in a fetal position or sitting down in protest.  Regardless of how difficult circumstances may be there is an end and moving forward is the best approach.

Precept #9:  Not a moment too soon, not a moment too late.

Timing.  It’s always about the timing. 

Precept #10:  Stay in your own yard.

Mind your own business.  Each one of us has more than enough on our own “plate” that it behooves us to focus on those things which have only to do with us.  Stepping outside of that generally comes from a place of judgment or the desire or effort to do God’s work for Him.  It never, ever works.

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.”

Precept # 11:  Do not add to; do not take away from.

God means what He says and says what He means.  When understanding is difficult, ask what He means.  Applying my reasoning to anything He says is dead-end.

Precept #12:  In order to become a teacher, you must be willing to be taught.

willing:  adj.  disposed or consenting; inclined; cheerfully consenting or ready

Absolutes.  Precepts. 

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.