Friday, May 3, 2013

Source & Purpose of God's Principle of Individuality

In the Principle Approach® 4-R'ing the Seven Priniciples Training Series from Foundation for American Christian Education (FACE), Connie Moody explains how "words convey ideas and ideas have consequences". The internal operations of the mind defines ideas while consequences are the external and outward effects. In order for us to understand and use words rightly with authority, it's important to be aware of the source and purpose behind our ideas.

In the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary, Source is defined as:
 
First cause; original; that which gives rise to any thing. The first producer; he or that which originates.
 
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” ~Genesis 1:1-2
 
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.” ~Isaiah 41:20-24
 
The meaning of Purpose is:
 
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion. Intention, design with the end in view; effect; consequence, good or bad.
 
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." ~Isaiah 32:17
 
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” ~1 Corinthians 1:17-18


God created everything and allows to use all things for a purpose. For every cause, there is an effect, whether good or bad. What comes from within will be produced and shown externally. Where there is a beginning, there is an end. God is the only Source where we can find purpose and we need Him to live within us so that we can have the heart and mind of Christ to do that which is right. Through His power, we can bring others to the salvation of Christ so that they too can have the hope of eternal life.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 2:12-16
 
"Teaching and Learning America's Christian History"
Page 64
 
Knowing our source and purpose, we can rightly understand God's Principle of Individuality. Upon defining those terms in the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary, the following are what I reasoned from them.

God is the highest and greatest existence in authority. He is an unchangeable God that will always remain as the Supreme Being; Jehovah. He is eternal and His spirit breathes and moves in and through all things He has created. He is supreme in power, possessing dominion of the universe. He is superior over all and is the sovereign good of all who love and obey Him.

Principle is the cause which produces an effect. It is the foundation that supports any thing that stands giving light to truth, fact and reality as it confirms to fix firmly in our mind that which is good.

Of is that which proceeds from to set or place that which follows.

Individuality is separate and distinct existence that makes something different and not confounded with any other thing. We are given life that has essence and unity with God. We are one with our creator yet separate in mind and body from any other thing He has created.

In essence, God's Principle of Individuality tells us that through an eternal and living God, we have a foundation that proceeds from a separate and distinct existence that He has given us and in His creation for a purpose. And, as my friend Ranae simply put it in relation to us as individuals..."Each of His human creations, if full of Jesus, reflects a different facet of His infinite individuality!" 
 
Let us remember and reflect on the truth of God's Principle of Individuality in our studies and all that we teach and learn!

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God's Principle of Individuality