We will
demonstrate our commitment to Christ through our practice of the
spiritual disciplines; we will demonstrate our commitment to the
body of Christ through our loyalty to God and commitment to His
church; and we will demonstrate our commitment to the work of Christ
through our being good stewards.
Practice of Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines involve such practices as prayer, praise,
worship, confession, fasting, meditation and study. Through prayer
we express our trust in Jehovah God, the giver of all good things
and acknowledge our dependence on Him for our needs and for the
needs of others (Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11: 1- 13; James 5:13-18).
Through both private and public worship we bless God, have communion
with Him, and are provided daily with spiritual enrichment and growth
in grace. Through periods of fasting we draw close to God, meditate
on the passion of Christ, and discipline ourselves to submit to
the control of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our life (Matthew
6:16-18; 9:14-17; Acts 14:23). Through confession of our sins to
God we are assured of divine forgiveness (1 John 1:9-2:2).The sharing
of our confession with other believers provides the opportunity
to request prayer and to bear one another 's burdens (Galatians
6:2; James 5:16). Through meditation on and study of the Word of
God we enhance our own spiritual growth and prepare ourselves to
help guide and instruct others in scriptural truths (Joshua 1:8;
Psalm 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:15, 23-26).
Loyalty to God and Commitment to the Church
The life of Christian discipleship calls for the fulfillment of
our duties to the body of Christ. We are to unite regularly with
other members of the church for the purpose of magnifying and praising
God and hearing His Word (Matthew 18:20; John 4:23; Acts 2:42, 46,
47; 12:24; Hebrews 10:25). Sunday is the Christian day of worship.
As the Lord's Day, it commemorates the resurrection of Christ from
the dead (Matthew 28:1) and should be employed for worship, fellowship,
Christian service, teaching, evangelism, and proclamation (Acts
20:7; Romans 14:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Colossians 2:16, 17).
We are to provide for the financial needs of the church by the giving
of tithes (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23) and offerings (1 Corinthians
16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15). It is our duty to respect and
to submit to those whom the Lord Jesus has placed over us in the
church (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17). Our exercise
of authority must be as a spiritual example rather than as a lord
over God's flock (Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Furthermore,
our submission must be a manifestation of the spiritual grace of
humility (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5, 6). Finally, we are to avoid
affiliation with oath-bound societies. Such societies may appear
to have spiritual character, but by being oath-bound and secretive,
they contradict Christian spirituality (John 18:20; 2 Corinthians
6:14-18). Christians must not belong to any body or society that
requires or practices an allegiance that supersedes or excludes
their fellowship in Christ (Matthew 12:47-49; John 17:21-23).
Being Good Stewards
In the Scriptures, the virtues of thrift and simplicity are honored,
but the vices of waste and ostentation are solemnly prohibited (Isaiah
55:2; Matthew 6:19-23). The living of a godly and sober life requires
the wise and frugal use of our temporal blessings, including time,
talent, and money. As good stewards we are to make the most of our
time, whether for recreation or for work (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians
4:5). The idle use of leisure time degrades (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13;
1 Timothy 5:13), but the edifying use of it brings inner renewal.
All our work and play should honor the name of God (I Corinthians
10:31). As good stewards we must use fully our spiritual gifts (Romans
12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter
4 : 9 - 11) and natural talents (Matthew 25:14-30) for the glory
of God. As good stewards we must recognize that the wise use of
money is an essential part of the Christian's economy of life. God
has committed temporal blessings to our trust (Matthew 7:11; James
1:17).
