Freedom in Christ
This affirmation is a unique distinctive of CCC and other Covenant churches. Outlined below are some thoughts on this from CCC Lead Pastor John Jenks.
Freedom in Christ
In the Covenant Church we believe our experience as a fellowship of believers is of central importance. We are called by God to unity, love and mission in our life together. We also recognize there is diversity in the church. People have different personalities and perspectives. So what is our unity based on? We believe experiencing unity in the midst of diversity is a biblical model that becomes a reality as we are committed to loving one another as Christ loves us while celebrating a firm faith and freedom in Christ. Our unity and freedom are found in Christ himself, the authority of the Word, and the biblical priorities of love and ministry. Unity does not depend on being identical but on our relationship with Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Loving each other as Christ loves us:
· Unconditionally with sacrificial commitment, forgiveness, and grace
(John 13:34-35, 15:9-17, Colossians 3:13, I John 3:16, Romans 12:17-18, I Thess. 4:9-11)
It's not always easy. Sometimes we can have tension with others over...
- Ministry Decisions (Acts 15:36-41 & 21:4-5)
- Ministry Styles (I Cor. 9:19-23, 12-14)
- Personality Conflicts (Phil. 4:2)
- Lifestyle Issues (Romans 14)
- Theological Issues (Galatians)
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and give himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice of love." Ephesians 5:1-2
Celebrating a firm faith and freedom in Christ:
In our firm faith we affirm and focus on the essentials of historical Christian orthodoxy....
the Lordship of Christ, authority of scripture, salvation by grace through faith,
the necessity of the new birth, the cross and resurrection, the fellowship of believers, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the return of Christ, the great commandments & great commission. (Apostles Creed)
With this firm faith there is freedom to be united in Christ, share fellowship, love and ministry with each other while recognizing there will be diversity within the church. With a firm faith we value an intentional position that grants freedom for "differences of opinion where the biblical record itself can be differently read." (Covenant Affirmations) "Majoring on the majors and minoring on the minors" (John Jenks) Unity need not be dependent on uniformity. Freedom in Christ is part of our firm faith as we seek to live in obedience to the scriptures. We adhere to the central "non-negotiables" of the historic Christian faith without expecting or demanding that everyone hold identical views on every issue. The Covenant Church seeks to unite Christians on the essentials of the Christian life while leaving room for different views on the nonessentials.
Biblical framework for freedom in Christ:
1. Everything isn't of equal importance (Matt. 23:23 & I Timothy 1:3-7). Jesus often had conflict with those who elevated less important issues (often human interpretations of the Word) to central importance (Matt. 23, Mark 7).
2. Be careful what you add to salvation (Galations - Giving appropriate theological freedom).
3. There are disputable matters (Romans 14 - Lifestyle issues with theological roots - be careful how you judge and how you live).
4. Be balanced & careful with people different from yourself (Acts 15 & I Cor. 8:1-13).
5. There are Biblical priorities of love (I Cor. 13), unity (John 17:20-23) & ministry (Matt. 28).
"For in Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is a faith expressing itself through love....You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love. the entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Colossians 5:6 & 13-15
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters." Romans 14:1
Freedom in Christ.....
1. assumes we trust the Holy Spirit to truly be at work in the lives of people & church
- we don't have to tell people everything they must think and do
- we point them to scripture and trust the Holy Spirit to guide people
- the scriptures are for all of us as we take responsibility for our faith & growth
- we must always approach the living Word with a teachable spirit
2. is a very intentional position that combines a firm faith with the priority of sharing
fellowship and ministry with other believers who may differ with us on some issues.
3. is something we give, not just get.
4. believes God's Word is sovereign over every human interpretation.
(We need humility)
- creeds can be helpful but the Word itself is our source of truth
5. seeks to live with the theological priorities of salvation by grace through faith in
Christ, the centrality of the scriptures, and those doctrines which are central to
Christian orthodoxy and needed in order to be a Christian.
6. seeks to live with the priorities of relationships and mission:
- The great commandments and great commission
7. recognizes there are issues that are unclear which the church has never agreed on.
Instead of dividing over such issues we live with a creative and loving tension
that allows for study, learning and growth in a context of love and faith.
Freedom in Christ is not.....
1. a license to sin.
- Our freedom is experienced in the context of biblical authority and accountability.
2. an invitation to individualism.
- Our freedom is experienced in the context of commitment to Christ & the church.
3. apathetic or "wishy-washy" about theological truth.
- Our freedom is experienced in the context of our firm faith.
4. a consumer freedom with no responsibilities.
- Our freedom is experienced in the context of our service, worship & obedience.
Freedom in Christ means...
1. I can hold my beliefs with grace and respect towards those who differ.
2. freedom in the context of my commitment to Christ and relationship with the church
that involves accountability, responsibility, encouragement and discipline.
3. I am free to approach the scriptures trusting the Holy Spirit to guide me.
4. I am free to ask questions, admit when things are unclear to me, and not have to have
all the answers right now.
5. diversity can be a resource for growth, learning and biblically mature relationships.
6. unity among believers isn't dependent on being in 100% agreement on all issues.
7. unity is built on our common relationship with Christ and the authority of the
scriptures as we live with the biblical priorities of love and ministry under the
influence of the Holy Spirit.
8. there is a great opportunity for a mature unity to develop among believers.
9. it can be easier to minister to people who are at various places in their spiritual life.
10. there can be diversity without division.
11. I am called to accept as a full brother or sister in Christ another believer who may
hold positions different than mine on secondary issues.
In essentials – agreement … In the non-essentials – freedom … And in all - love
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:5-7
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