THEME: Spiritual Growth: Understanding The Whats and Hows of Growing Up unto God’s Life in our Souls
LESSON: Six
TOPIC: Understanding Precepts and Lines (Part 2)
TEXT: Isaiah 28:9; Jeremiah 3:15; 1st Corinthians 4:20; Ephesians 4:20-23
MEMORY TRACK:
In our last study, we learned that the New Testament teaching of faith did not just suddenly emerge; it is a similitude of what God called blessing in Genesis 1:27-28 and in the Old Testament. This project of blessing man with God’s nature is made possible by a systematic dispensing of the gospel (Isaiah 28:9), by laying precepts upon precepts and line upon line. We saw that precepts are the knowledge of God expounded upon and revealed through scriptures by the Holy Ghost through the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding/revelation. The knowledge of Him is what the Prophets in the Old Testament and Apostles who wrote scriptures in the New Testament referred to as PRECEPTS.
WHAT ARE LINES?
Lines are the lives or expressions of precepts. They represent the visible character and lifestyle produced from revealed knowledge that is communicated through teaching. Lines are therefore the practical outworking of precepts/knowledge. When the knowledge of God is taught, lines emerge as the measurable expressions of that life in a believer’s nature/character (Matthew 28:19–20—disciples are made by teaching them to observe all that Christ commanded). It is good to note that observing (living it out) is what produces lines.
DEFINING LINES
Lines can be understood in several ways:
- Lines are the lives of precepts.
- They are the living expressions of the truths we receive.
- Lines are the character of revelation. Every revelation carries a way of living.
- Lines are the measurable expressions of divine life. They show how much of the life revealed in the gospel has been formed in a believer.
- Lines are the visible reality produced by knowledge. They are the manifest lifestyle resulting from what has been taught and believed.
LINES ARE PRODUCED FROM PRECEPTS
Lines are a product of the precepts (knowledge) communicated in the gospel. For example, in Ephesians 1:15, Apostle Paul testified that he heard of the faith and love of the church at Ephesus. This visible testimony was a line produced by the word they had received (Ephesians 1:13–14). Thus: Precepts/Revelation → Lines (visible life).
LINES AS MEASURES OF LIFE
The life of God can be received in measures. Scriptures show that divine life is administered in measures (John 3:34, Acts 2:4, Eph 4:13, Rom 15:29, John 1:16, Col 2:9). Just as believers can be filled and be full of the Holy Ghost according to the measure of the Word of this Life that has been communicated (Acts 2:42; Acts 5:20), so also the life of the Father and of Christ can be received in measures in the soul. The measure of life received depends on the measure of revealed knowledge.
LINES ARE COMMANDMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS that are fetched from the revealed truth by the Holy Ghost given to us to do and obey. Lines can also be understood as Commandments, Instructions, or Ways of life revealed by the Holy Ghost.
According to Romans 16:25–26, revelation is made known for the obedience of faith. Thus, lines are instructions drawn from revealed truth that guide believers into the nature of God. The Holy Spirit communicates these lines through Teaching, Commandments, and Spiritual understanding (2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Corinthians 2:13–16; Jude 20).
LINES AS A MEASURING ROD OF LIFE
The word “line” can depict a rule, rod, or measuring standard. For example, in Revelation 11:1, a measuring rod is used. This illustrates that spiritual growth happens gradually, moving from Low measure to Being filled and Being full, until believers reach the fullness of life in God, as described in Ephesians 4:13–15.
DO LINES EXIST IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
Yes. The concept of lines is reflected in several scriptures (1 Cor 4:20, Rev 11:1, Eph 4:13–15, 2 Tim 3:10, 16). These passages show that God’s life is measured and communicated through teaching.
Grace (which is also life) comes through knowledge (2 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 3:7; 2 Peter 3:18). However, knowledge itself is not life, though it is the route through which life is received (Romans 1:19–23). Thus, we may say Lines correspond to doctrine, ways, nature, and character.
HOW LINES BECOME LIFE
Lines become life through obedience. The Holy Spirit reveals standards of living, but they must be obeyed before they become part of our nature (Rom 1:5, Rom 5:19, Rom 6:16–17, Heb 5:8). Obedience is the heart response to revealed truth. It is the process by which instruction becomes nature.
WHY OBEDIENCE IS NECESSARY (1 Sam 15:22, 2 Cor 10:6, Philemon 1:21, Dan 11:32, Jos 1:8)
Obedience converts revelation into life. For to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). The life of obedience often leads believers to places the old nature does not want to go, just as Jesus Christ told Peter the Apostle that one day he would be taken where he did not wish to go (John 21:18).
The flesh naturally resists the path of the cross, which is why obedience often feels difficult. However, the season of obedience also comes with abundant grace (Romans 1:5), even though it may also bring strong opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9).
ATTITUDES IN A SEASON OF OBEDIENCE
- Prayer (Eph 3:16–18, Matt 14:32-41)
- Draw comfort and strength from your brethren (Prov 27:17, 19; Heb 10:24-25)
- Stay on the word (Ps 104:15, Ps 119:11, 50)
- Avoid environments that encourage disobedience (1 Thess. 5:22, 2 Tim. 2:22–23)
Summary
Lines are the measurable expressions of divine life produced through revealed truth and manifested through obedience. They represent the ways, character, and nature of God progressively formed in believers until they attain the fullness of Christ. Spiritual growth, therefore, is not merely the accumulation of knowledge but the progressive formation of divine life through obedience to revealed truth. Every revelation carries a corresponding line—a way of life that must be walked in order for that revelation to become life within us. As we obey these lines, we begin to manifest the virtues and character of life that is the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, moving from one measure of life to another.