"God is not an abstract truth; He is the Eternal Reality, and is discerned only by means of a personal relationship. If I preach the right thing but do not live it, I am telling an untruth about God."
-Oswald Chambers
It is critical to have both good orthodoxy and good orthopraxy.
Orthodoxy: "right belief, purity of faith"
Orthopraxy: "correct action/activity" or an emphasis on conduct, both ethical and liturgical, as opposed to faith or grace.
We have to be people who care about truth, but be gracious toward those we disagree with. We must be willing to reach out to Christians who differ with us on points of doctrine. We need to learn the art of listening well, and practicing the discipline of not getting our own way. When we are encountered with hate, we must refuse to hate back.
As Pastor Josh Harris puts it, humility leads to orthodoxy and orthodoxy leads to humility.
Think about that.
If we're truly humble, we'll acknowledge that we need truth from God. We won't think that we can invent or recreate our own ideas about who God is. Humility will lead us to accept God's words and his explanation for the world and our own need for salvation.
And in the same way, if we truly know and embrace orthodoxy it should humble us.
When we know the truth about God--his power, his greatness, his holiness, his mercy--it doesn't leave us boasting, it leaves us amazed.
It leaves us in awe of truth. It leaves us humbled in the presence grace.
"Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
-1 Timothy 4:14-16
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Nathan Bryant
Is a student of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. Majoring in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology, he has a combined passion for unity and discipleship in the global church. Nate is a crazed sports fan, he enjoys college football and playing fantasy football. He also enjoys watching baseball with friends. He works as an Admissions Counselor at Ozark. Nate is unashamedly a Starbucks addict. Yay Coffee!
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.
resides in Joplin, Missouri where he studies New Testament Theology at Ozark Christian College. His hobbies include hiking, cooking, reading, and talking to people about the person of Jesus Christ. He loves people, evidenced by his service to the church and those who do not yet know Christ.
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