The life of a Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit is characterized by love for and dependence upon God and love toward all people
Actions and Attitudes of a Christian
We believe the Scriptures establish basic principles to guide the actions and attitudes of a Christian and that it is the responsibility of each Christian, through constant submission to Christ, to glorify God through the application of these principles.
Exodus 20 | Matthew 5:16 | Luke 11:28 | Acts 5:29 | Matthew 6:33
We affirm the Scriptures as the Christian’s final source of teaching and training for all of life’s activities. Consistent reading and study of the Word of God is essential for growth in the Christian life.
2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16
A Christian is Characterized by Love
We believe the life of a Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit is characterized by love for and dependence upon God and love toward all people.
Philippians 1:9-11 | John 13:34-35 | Romans 12:9-10, 13:8 |
1 Corinthians 13:1 | Ephesians 5:1-2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:9 | 1 Peter 4:8
A Christian loves God by:
- Worshiping Him Matthew 4:10
- Giving thanks for all He has done
Colossians 3:17 | 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | Ephesians 5:20 - Obeying Him 1 John 2:3-6
- Making Him known to others Mark 16:15 | Romans 1:16
A Christian loves others by:
- Sharing their burdens Galatians 6:2
- Remaining intolerant of their sin Romans 13:14
- Forgiving their personal offenses yet seeking to restore them to fellowship with the Lord Matthew 18:21-22 | Ephesians 4:32 | Colossians 3:13 | Luke 6:27-28; 32-35 | Romans 12:17-21 | 1 Peter 3:9
- Demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:17-23
- Loving others as himself Romans 13:9
The Bible calls Christians to...
Be joyful
Nehemiah 8:10 | Psalms 5:11 | John 15:11
Trust in God
1 John 2:23 | 2 Chronicles 20:20 | Isaiah 26:4 | Hebrews 2:13
Live a life of holiness in the world
Romans 12:1 | Ephesians 1:4 | 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 | 1 John 2:15-17
Exhibit humility and honesty
Colossians 3:8-12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:12
Deny self in submission to the sovereignty of Christ
Matthew 16:24 | Romans 12:16 | Ephesians 4:1-3 | Philippians 2:3-4
Be a faithful steward of things God has given– mind, time, abilities, funds, and opportunities.
1 Peter 4:10 | Ephesians 5:15-16, 18 | Matthew 6:19-21 |
Romans 12:1 | 2 Corinthians 6:16
Christ is Lord
We believe that a Christian must strive to live a life in which Christ is Lord of all thoughts, actions, and words.
A Christian must recognize that there are actions and attitudes that are inconsistent and inappropriate, such as sinning against the body of Christ or one’s own body.
A Christian led by the Holy Spirit will, after prayer and studying the Scriptures, exercise freedom responsibly with loving regard for the sensitivities and weaknesses of others.
Our Lives are Worship
We believe that, based on Scriptural teaching and concern for our individual and corporate witness, we must refrain from practices such as sexual impurity, marital infidelity, gossiping, greed, illegal drug use, licentiousness, drunkenness and other excesses.
By God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian should seek to grow in godliness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ. In so doing, Christ is given all glory and his redeeming love is on display for all to see.
1 Peter 1:13-16 | Galatians 5:19-21 | Ephesians 4:17-24 | James 3:2-10 | Philippians 4:8-9
