A B C's of Christian Doctrine

By David Shelby Corlett

Chapter 7

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

64. What is the standard of Christian living?

The standard for Christian living is the moral law revealed in the Holy Scriptures; hence Christians are to live upright, sober and godly lives, ever seeking to glorify God in all phases of life. "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12). "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31).

65. How may the Christian glorify God in his body?

The Christian may glorify God in his body by realizing constantly that his body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, by devoting his whole life to the doing of the will of God, and by refraining from such practices, habits, adornments and associations as are not to the glory of God. (See Manual, General Rules, page 33 to 36). "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19, 20). "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thess. 5:22). "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Peter 3:3, 4) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Cor. 6:14, 17, 18)

66. What are the obligations for Christian growth?

Our people should give careful heed to the development of holiness in the fear of the Lord, and to the development of the Christian graces in the heart and of their manifestation in daily life (Manual, page 46 [38]). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).

67. What are the means for Christian growth?

The means of Christian growth are faithful attendance upon the fellowship of public worship, the consistent practice of devotional exercises, such as the reading and study of the Word, private prayer and spiritual meditation, and personal activity in Christian service. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:24,25). "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2). "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:6) "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting [progress, R. V.] may appear to all" (I Tim. 4:15). "Ye shall be witnesses unto me" (Acts 1:8).

68. What is the place of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life?

The Holy Spirit is the source of all Christian life and growth; the Inspirer of all Christian virtues; the Helper in the development of character, giving power for service, help in the prayer life, comfort in sorrow, and strength in trials; His presence and sealing is the constant assurance of present salvation and the confidence of eternal life. "The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2). "The fruit of the Spirit... " (Gal. 5:22). "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter [Helper]" (John 14:16). "... the Spirit ... maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:27). "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Eph. 1:13, 14)

69. What is Christian Stewardship?

Christian stewardship is the recognition of God's ownership of all things and of man's trusteeship -- that we are but stewards of our own lives and in the use of our time, means, and other possessions; and that we are under the sacred obligation of systematic and proportionate giving of our time and means for the support of Christian work, and of holding and using all possessions sacredly unto the Lord. (Manual, page 46 [391) "... the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth" (Gen. 14:19). "... He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10). "It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Cor. 4:2). "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase" (Prov. 3:9).

70. What is the Christian's obligation in the support of the church?

It is the Christian's duty to contribute to the support of the church according to the ability which God gives. We believe that the scriptural method of gathering money for the support of the church is by means of tithes and offerings (Manual, page 43 [34]). "Even so the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (I Cor. 9:14). "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" (I Cor. 16:2). "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house" (Mal. 3:10). "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Cor. 9:7).

71. What is the Christian's relation to the world?

The Christian is not of the world, but being a member of human society he is not indifferent to his relation to others; especially does he seek to do good to all men, to seek the salvation of sinners and the reformation of society. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17:14,15). "God ... hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth" (Acts 17:24, 25). "Let us do good unto all men" (Gal. 6:10).

72. What summarizes the Christian's obligation to others?

The second great commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" summarizes the Christian's obligation to others; which means that we are to "love all men with the love of good will, the unfortunate and distressed with the love of pity, and good men with the love of complacency" (Christian Theology, Wiley)

73. What are the Christian's obligations to civil authorities?

It is the Christian's obligation to show respect to and pray for the civil authorities, to be a law-abiding citizen, and to exercise his privileges as a citizen in the affairs of government. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men ... Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king" (I Peter 2:13-15, 17). "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (I Tim. 2:1,2). "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21).

74. What is a Christian home?

A Christian home is a home where God is worshipped and honored, and where Christian love is the guiding principle in all relationships. "Let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband" (Eph. 5:.33). "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right ... And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:1,4).