V. The Covenant of Christian Character
21. To be identified with the visible Church is the blessed privilege and sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking completeness in Christ Jesus. It is required of all who desire to unite with the Church of the Nazarene, and thus to walk in fellowship with us, that they shall show evidence of salvation from their sins by a godly walk and vital piety; and that they shall be, or earnestly desire to be, cleansed from all indwelling sin. They shall evidence their commitment to God—
21.1. FIRST. By doing that which is enjoined in the Word of God, which is our rule of both faith and practice, including:
(1) Loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one’s neighbor as oneself (Exodus 20:3-6; Leviticus 19:17-18; Deuteronomy 5:7-10; 6:4-5; Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8-10).
(2) Pressing upon the attention of the unsaved the claims of the gospel, inviting them to the house of the Lord, and trying to compass [plan for/ to accomplish] their salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
(3) Being courteous to all people (Ephesians 4:32; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:18).
(4) Being helpful to those who are also of the faith, in love forbearing one another (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:2, 10; Colossians 3:12-14).
(5) Seeking to do good to the bodies and souls of people; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and ministering to the needy, as opportunity and ability are given (Matthew 25:35-36; 2 Corinthians 9:8-10; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18).
(6) Contributing to the support of the ministry and the church and its work in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Philippians 4:15-19).
(7) Attending faithfully all the ordinances of God, and the means of grace, including the public worship of God (Hebrews 10:25), the ministry of the Word (Acts 2:42), the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-30); searching the Scriptures and meditating thereon (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-16); family and private devotions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Matthew 6:6).
21.2. SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind, including:
(1) Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12). (2) Profaning of the Lord’s Day by participation in unnecessary secular activities, thereby indulging in practices that deny its sanctity (Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27-28; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10). (3) Sexual immorality, such as premarital, extramarital, or same-sex relations; perversion in any form or looseness and impropriety of conduct (Genesis 19:4-11; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Matthew 5:27-32; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Timothy 1:10). (4) Habits or practices known to be destructive of physical and mental well-being. Christians are to regard themselves as temples of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 20:1; 23:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:17-20; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:18). (5) Quarreling, returning evil for evil, gossiping, slandering, spreading surmises injurious to the good names of others (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:30-32; James 3:5-18; 1 Peter 3:9-10). (6) Dishonesty, taking advantage in buying and selling, bearing false witness, and like works of darkness (Leviticus 19:10- 11; Romans 12:17; 1 Corinthians 6:7-10). (7) The indulging of pride in dress or behavior. Our people are to dress with the Christian simplicity and modesty that become holiness (Proverbs 29:23; 1 Timothy 2:8-10; James 4:6; 1 Peter 3:3-4; 1 John 2:15-17). (8) Music, literature, and entertainments that dishonor God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; James 4:4). 21.3. THIRD. By abiding in hearty fellowship with the church, not inveighing [speak or write against with hostility] against but wholly committed to its doctrines and usages and actively involved in its continuing witness and outreach (Ephesians 2:18-22; 4:1-3, 11-16; Philippians 2:1-8; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
Romans 14:1-13 (and Romans 16:17-19)
Who in this room can vote for church board members at Bethel church?
What allows you to vote at Bethel Nazarene? Do you know about each of these three?
Be a Christian (Apostle’s and Nicene Creed)
The Covenant of Christian Character (see reverse)
The Covenant of Christian Conduct. (Longer, page 45 of the Nazarene Manual 2017-2021)
From #3: We suggest that the standard given to John Wesley by his mother, namely, “whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of your body over mind, that thing for you is sin,” form the basis for this teaching of discrimination. (28.2-28.4, 926-931) (Romans 14:7-13; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Ephesians 5:1-18; Philippians 4:8- 9; 1 Peter 1:13-17; 2 Peter 1:3-11)
14:1 How do you know what is a disputable matter?
14:2 One man’s faith allows him to watch anything while the other man limits his what he watches.
Is that a fair extension of this verse?
14:5 21.2 #2 of the Covenant of Christian Character says to honor the Sabbath. Is one of these wrong?
Should you take a job that makes you work on Sunday? Should everyone take a job that works on Sunday? Should you shop on Sunday? Should you go to restaurants on Sunday? Is “being fully convinced” the same thing as being right?
14: 6-8 Is this more of a relief or more of a challenge to you?
14:9-11 How is this section supposed to put the argument into perspective?
14:12 Is this more of a relief or more of a challenge to you? Does it help you understand others better?
14:13 How is this in line with Romans 16:17-19? What do Christians do about judging?
Does the Christian Covenant help or go against the spirit of Romans 14:1- 13?
How seriously do we take our membership?
Do we actively do the things we have agreed to do in the Covenant?
Summary
Romans 14:4 seems like a wonderful summary statement to me. It can diminish controversies inside the church, and is a good reminder that God is above the church, He is above our controversies, and He is the ultimate judge of what we do now. And who should be more respected or paid-attention to, the one who can make your like rough here in church so that you quit and go somewhere else, or the One who can cast your soul into hell because you decided not to pursue Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? (And while you are doing that, know that He wants us to get along as His dear children, caring for one another deeply – not superficially – see Covenant for ideas!) Hmm, that should give us stuff to think about this week!