The Christian Life
"If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation ... so that, as Christ, we too might walk in newness of life."
II Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:4.
I. We Walk by Faith
One day we will see everything plainly (I Cor. 13:12), however, now we walk by faith, not by sight (II Cor. 5:7). The testimony of Scripture is our inerrant record of God's dealings with man and it must be trusted completely. The promises of the Bible are our only hope for salvation and can be rested in with confidence.
II. We Walk by the Spirit
We who were born of the Spirit are also to walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Paul says to be "filled with the spirit" (Eph. 5:18). The Christian life is to be lived in yieldedness to the Spirit of God. Every action and attitude falling under the Lordship of Christ. The result of such a life is an outpouring of the fruit of the Spirit in and through our lives (Gal. 5:22).
III. We Walk in Love
God is love and we are His children (I John 4:8; John 1:12). The one essential difference between His children and children of the world is love (John 13:35). Regardless of the rightness and importance of our cause, we can still be wrong if we are not acting in love. First, and foremost, we are to love God (Deut. 6:5). Secondly, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Love for neighbor includes areas of social concern. Christ calls us to enlarge our hearts toward the poor and disenfranchised of our world (Matt 25:31ff.). Love for our neighbors also implies evangelism. We are commanded by Christ (Matt. 8:28ff.) and constrained by His love (II Cor. 5:14). This must be a first with every Christian.
While evangelistic methods may well vary, and should, several constants must remain. They are: man's need, God's love, God's provision in Christ, and man's response. I am concerned about the use and results of methods which tend to "soft-peddle" the sin issue and repentance. God still calls men and women to repentance (drastic change of mind) (cr. John the Baptist - Matt. 3:2; Jesus - Matt. 4:17; Peter - Acts 2:38; Paul - II Cor. 7: 1 0). I am also concerned greatly that our concept of saving faith can deteriorate so subtly into mere intellectual agreement. We can, almost unknowingly, strip faith of both commitment and the miraculous. These are unfortunate errors and will only lead to, on the one hand, a carnal Christianity at best or a kind of spiritual non-Christianity at worst. On the other hand, if the miraculous is brushed aside, it seems we end up with a dead orthodoxy.
IV. We Walk in Light
God is light (I John 1:5) and we are sons and daughters of that light (I Thess. 5:5). There is to be no moral darkness in us. God's moral law is to be the Christian's way of life (I Pet. 1:15ff.). This life of holiness is to believe positively. In other words, when faced with a questionable act, amusement, etc. the Christian must ask not only, "is it legal?" but also, "Does it contribute to holiness?"
Specifics, some requested, follow:
A. Abortion.
I believe that human life begins at conception (Ps. 51:5; 139:13; Jer. 1:5) and that all human life is sacred (Gen. 1:26; Ex. 10:13). Abortion is the taking of human life and therefore sin. Such killing of the innocent cannot be justified and must be resisted by everyone who values the sanctity of human life.
B. Chemical Use.
All chemicals used internally must be treated with care, whether prescribed by a medical doctor or not. Regarding so called "street drugs" I believe the only Christian response can be abstinence. I feel likewise with regard to alcoholic beverages. Such abstinence is based upon biblical principles (Prov. 20:1; I Cor. 6:19ff.; 8:13), physiological soundness and societal benefits.
C. Homosexuality.
Homosexual activity is sin (Lev. 18:22). Homosexual orientation is the result of rejecting God's pattern and is one further evidence of the tragic consequences of sin (Rom. 1:25f.). Scripture does not support the idea that such an orientation can be inherited. It is learned and, as it tends toward evil, must be rejected as a perversion of God's intention.
D. Divorce and Remarriage.
Divorce is sin and hated by God (Matt. 12:16). It is also a great human tragedy very prevalent in our society today. Jesus gave one allowance for divorce, namely, unchastity (Matt 19:9). Paul understood this allowance to include cases where a Christian has an unbelieving partner who desires divorce (I Cor.7:15).
When unfaithfulness has occurred in a marriage, the Christian spouse who has been true to the marriage covenant is to respond first with forgiveness (Eph. 4:32). This forgiveness must not be selfishly dependent upon the guilty party's asking for it. When true repentance has been made before man and God, the guilt is removed and there is no longer ground for divorce. Rather now, the couple is to work at rebuilding their broken love. When there is no evidence of repentance in his/her partner the Christian's response is still to be forgiveness. The best course of action may be to continue in the marriage, "for better, for worse". However, divorce is allowed.
I believe that where such allowance is given for divorce it extends to remarriage (Matt. 19:9ff.). Nevertheless, the Christian who has divorced his/her spouse, or who has been divorced, should not remarry until the possibility of reconciliation with the first spouse is gone (I Cor. 7: 11).
As with all sinners who are brought into the family of God, people who fall under the above categories should be welcomed with open arms of love and acceptance. While prudence must be followed regarding places of ministry within the church, these must be made to know that they, too, have service to render and talents to be shared in the family of God.