- Follow the general principles for understanding a passage.
- Determine what the author wanted to communicate to the reader at the time of writing.
- Determine what truth you can learn based on following #1 and #2.
- Based on this truth, determine what you should change in your thoughts or actions so that you can be more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ and so that your life can glorify God.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”(Matthew 5:14-16).
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”(1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”(Ephesians 2:10).