This is mainly because HE is the only one capable of helping them REACH those standards. If the person you are entering the conversation with has expressed that they are NOT currently in a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, then the goal of the conversation should be to introduce them to the reality and beauty of Jesus Christ FIRST. If the person confesses to being a follower of Christ, then it is Biblical to teach, rebuke, correct and/or train that person in the ways of righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

1. Confirm that the person is in a relationship with Jesus Christ BEFORE challenging the person to embrace His standards.

In the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:2-11) Jesus was the only one who had the right to condemn the woman, but he chose to show her grace. However, after showing her grace, he sent her off with a challenge to “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Likewise, we should approach sensitive conversations with a desire to see a person set free from guilt/shame, but to also be set free from deception/sin.

3. Communicate the TRUTH with GRACE the same exact way Jesus did.

Why A Biblical Response Matters

In a world with an ever-changing sense of morality, it is important for Christians to discover, understand and remain anchored to the truth of the Holy Bible. By holding fast to the objective truth revealed in the Bible, we can know how to think and respond BIBLICALLY to the modern challenges and dilemmas we are faced with as a continually shifting culture. Though this is not a comprehensive list of every challenge facing our culture today, this will hopefully provide any clarity on our interpretation of the Bible and how it applies to some of the most frequently discussed and debated topics of this generation.

How To Respond Biblically

Understanding the tone in which we are communicating our position on these matters is just as important to us as the content of our position. We wholeheartedly stand by our Purpose Statement to love ANYONE from ANYWHERE into a PERSONAL and GROWING relationship with Jesus Christ! We believe that truly loving someone requires providing clear and compassionate responses that are anchored to Biblical truth. Furthermore, we encourage every Christian to take the same approach when engaging in these types of conversations. We must all remember that our priority as Christians is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in peoples’ lives, which is the exact opposite of trying to MAKE A POINT in order to win a debate. BEFORE entering any conversation regarding any of the sensitive topics listed below, a Christian should keep the following points in mind:

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Our
Theology

We are a Spirit-filled church affiliated with the Church Of God (Cleveland, TN)

Our Biblical Responses To:

Our sincerely held belief is that God alone confers life (Genesis 1:1-31); therefore, we are responsible to God to care for our physical life and that of others. If the circumstances require, we must be prepared to risk our life in the service of our neighbor (John 15:13); but the general rule is that we must respect our physical life and employ every worthy means to maintain it. Since God alone confers life, God alone must decide when it is to be ended (Psalm 31:14, 15). Because a human fetus is sacred and blessed by God, we believe that we have the responsibility to protect the life of the unborn (Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41). It is our firm conviction that life begins at conception and that abortion and euthanasia of the aged, mentally incompetent, terminally ill and otherwise handicapped, for reasons of personal convenience, social adjustment or economic advantage, are morally wrong. We wholeheartedly stand by our Purpose Statement of “Loving ANYONE from ANYWHERE into a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” There is nothing, including committing the act of abortion, that anyone could do that will change that approach. Nobody will be kicked out or treated with a lesser amount of love and respect at any Groups or Gatherings simply because of their decision to have an abortion. However, it is important to recognize that ALL sin, including abortion, should be something that we repent from and avoid committing again.

Our sincerely held belief is that Marriage is defined in the Bible as a sacred covenant bond between one biological man and one biological woman (sex assigned at birth), instituted by God and publicly entered into before God. Homosexuality, transgenderism, adultery, fornication, along with any other sin of sexual immorality, is in direct opposition to God’s perfect design for our lives (1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Romans 1:21-32). We wholeheartedly stand by our Purpose Statement of “Loving ANYONE from ANYWHERE into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” There is nothing that anyone could do that will change that approach. However, it is important to understand that ACTUALLY “Loving” someone REQUIRES us to challenge that person to embrace GOD’S plans, ways and design.

Our sincerely held belief is that love for others and the recognition of the equal worth of all people in the sight of God (Acts 10:34; 17:26) should compel us to take steps to improve the situation of those who are underprivileged, neglected, hungry, homeless and victimized by prejudice, persecution and oppression (Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 3:17). In all of our dealings, we must be sensitive to human needs (Luke 10:30-37; James 1:27) and guard against racial and economic discrimination. Every person should have freedom to worship and participate in the life of the church regardless of race, color, sex, social class or nationality.

Our sincerely held belief is that as Christians we are members of the kingdom of God as well as a social order of this world. Obedience to God also requires us to act in a responsible manner as citizens of our country (Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, we should support civil law and order; hold our leaders in respect and pray for them; participate in school, community and governmental activities; exercise our voting rights; and speak out on clear-cut moral issues. God’s law is supreme, but we are to obey the laws of our country insofar as they are not in conflict with obedience to God (Acts 5:29). When it becomes necessary to disagree with practices and requirements of government, we should do so out of a concern for the promotion of righteousness and not out of delight in discord and controversy. We are committed to JESUS! Since the character, mission and values of Jesus do not perfectly fit into any political agenda, political party or politician, then we do not publicly affirm or confront any political strategy that does not directly relate to our ability to expand the Kingdom of Heaven. We must be committed to removing EVERY obstacle that could keep someone from entering a relationship with Christ. As heart-breaking as it is that our culture is so divided, we must not allow political divides to become an unnecessary stumbling block for someone to receive and/or continue following Christ.

Our sincerely held belief is that we should practice temperance in behavior and should abstain from activities and attitudes which are offensive to our fellow man or which lead to addiction or enslavement. One of the cardinal Christian virtues is temperance or self-control (1 Corinthians 9:25; Titus 1:8, 2:2). It is listed as fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). We are admonished to practice moderation and balance in our behavior (Philippians 4:5). Scripture indicates that it is within our prerogative to control our thinking (Philippians 4:8), our anger (Ephesians 4:26) and our communication (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8). To exercise self-discipline reflects the power of God in our life (1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Peter 1:5-11). One of the primary benefits of our liberty in Christ is freedom from the domination of negative forces (John 8:32, 36; Romans 6:14; 8:2). We are counseled not to put ourselves again under bondage (Galatians 5:1). Therefore, a Christian would be wise to abstain from alcoholic beverages and other habit-forming, mood-altering, chemical substances and refrain from the use of tobacco in any form, marijuana and all other addictive substances, and further, must refrain from any activity (such as gambling or gluttony) which defiles the body as the temple of God or which dominates and enslaves the spirit that has been made free in Christ (Proverbs 20:1; 23:20-35; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 5:11; 6:10; 2 Corinthians 7:1; James 1:21). Though many make the argument of “Everything in moderation…”, the fact remains that “everything” is not beneficial to someone’s physical and spiritual health.

It is our sincerely held belief that we are to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others as a demonstration of our love for them (Matthew 22:39; Romans 12:9-21, 13:10; Philippians 2:3-5). At times it is necessary for us to control our behavior so as not to bring offense to others (Romans 14:13-21; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13). As we know Christ after the Spirit, we are also to know others in the same manner so we will not judge them after their outward behavior alone (2 Corinthians 5:16). A respect and tolerance for differences in others should characterize our relationships (Romans 14:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5). As Christians, we should strive to elevate the spiritual growth and development of people. God calls us to “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16), and the language we use should reflect our obedience of this command from God.

It is our sincerely held belief that we should unequivocally and unapologetically stand with Israel! We are aware that any/all governments are led by imperfect people, thus making it impossible for any nation to perfectly embody Christian ethics especially when these governing officials create laws and implement strategic decisions. Even with that being understood, GO Church will continue to stand with Israel for the following reasons:

Genesis 12:2-3 affirms that blessings await those who support the nation of Israel, while curses await those who do not.
Genesis 15:18 affirms that the original deed of the land of Israel was given to the descendants of Abraham by God Himself.
Genesis 21:12 affirms that God recognizes the line of Isaac, not the line of Ishmael, as recipients of His covenant promise.
All 4 Gospel accounts (Matthew-John) affirm that Jesus Christ was born in Israel, died in Israel, resurrected again in Israel, ascended to Heaven from Israel and will eventually return to Israel.
Romans 11:11-24 explains that Gentiles have been “grafted in” and “supported by the root” of Israel.
Romans 11:25-32 explains that “all Israel will be saved” and that God will “take away their sins”.
Standing with Israel does not mean withholding prayer and support for the innocent lives being lost by this devastating war. We can, and should, pray for the salvation of all those who have rejected Christ.

Our sincerely held belief is that the Bible is God's final authority for understanding the nature of this created world, as well as the nature of God. Our interpretation of the entire Bible, as it relates to the full nature of God, can be found in the second point in the official GO Church Statement Of Faith - "We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." We absolutely reject the misinterpretation of scripture which leads to the false doctrine that God is a woman. Genesis 1:27 teaches that all of humanity was "created in the image of God". The implications of this are vast, but can be summed up by explaining that both men and women innately express the attributes of God in a way that the rest of creation does not have the full ability to do. James 1:17 also sums up this understanding by stating that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." It is perfectly in alignment with the truth of the Bible to suggest that the loving and merciful attributes of a woman or mother are directly derived from the loving and merciful attributes of God himself. God does not have to BE A WOMAN in order to display the attributes of a loving woman or mother. Rather, loving women and mothers are able to display their loving gifts because those gifts are derived directly from a loving Heavenly Father. We should all join together and rejoice in the truth of Psalms 145:8-9 that "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made." We are fully dependent on God's loving nature, and we should joyfully proclaim this truth to a hurting world!

Why A Biblical Response Matters

How To Respond Biblically

Our Theology

We are a Spirit-filled church affiliated with the Church Of God (Cleveland, TN)

Our Biblical Responses To:

Our
Theology