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How To Live Your Statement of Faith
by Dinora Garza I must confess I'm always unimpressed by the Statements of Faith that churches post on their sites. They just lie there, impassive, motionless, like an impressive monumentartfully designed, yet lifeless. What's a Statement of Faith anyways? It is supposed to be a compilation of our core beliefs, the foundation on which we stand, right? Yet, although all Churches have one, upon closer examination, most of them don't live by it. Yet, recently I found one Statement that impressed me. Its brevity and clarity immediately grabbed my attention. I could picture those people actually believing what they said they believed. That led me to the question: How do I know I believe these things? The obvious answers was, "By the way I live my life." Do I believe there is a heaven and a hell? If I really do, I must be teaching my children to strive to go to heaven and to avoid going to hell, because if I don't do I really believe it? What follows is a Living Statement of Faith, as opposed to a lifeless one. It's the conclusion of my musings on the purpose of the Statement of Faith. As you read it, ask yourself, "Is this the way I live?" Your answer will either challenge the validity of your faith, validate it, or point you to those areas in which your faith needs to grow. I hope it'll help you as much as it helped me. My Statement of Faith I believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. Therefore I read it every day, trust it and obey it. I believe there is an eternal God, existent in three persons. Therefore, I submit equally to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and seek to know each of them intimately. I believe in the deity of Jesus, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory. Therefore I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I don't despair in times of trouble, and live a life that glorifies God while waiting for His return. I believe in regeneration. Therefore I am mindful of my inner inclinations and outward behavior to make sure I'm in the faith. I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit enables me to live a holy life. Therefore I forsake and avoid anything that grieves Him while at the same time, pursue holiness. I believe there is a heaven and a hell. Therefore I actively seek the salvation of my family, instructing them and praying for them. I seek the salvation of those around me as well. I believe in the spiritual unity of Christians in our Lord Jesus. Therefore I worship at church. I cultivate a healthy relationship with my brothers and sisters, pray for them and help them. I seek their company over that of unbelievers. I believe all these things, therefore I'll live them I am a Christian. My passion is to know the Lord, and help others to understand His character and will. Read one of my blogs at: onetruthonegod.wordpress.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |