The guiding principle in the liberty of conscience discussion is "living sacrifice" - a life lived to the glory of God.

As created humans, we are not to demand more of one another than God does. Being bound by things that God hasn't specifically spoken to can lead to a critical spirit.

As children of the light, try to live as God's special people in this age of darkness.

We are called, as Christ-followers, to dig a little deeper and see the spiritual nature of the commandments and not just to seek conformity to a bare minimum standard that would help us avoid punishment. We are to love God and to seek the intent of God's law in loving others as we love ourselves.

Christians are baptized in water to identify with Jesus. At his baptism, we see a part of Jesus' glory revealed AND his identification with us. Baptisms are an occasion for us to celebrate God's work in adding to His people.

A Christian's default posture toward governing authorities should be one of appropriate submission to God-ordained institutions. However, there are cases when civil disobedience is sanctioned by scripture. Christians are not to obey laws that require them to sin. We ought to obey God rather than man.

Our King has set up governing authorities for His people to follow as honorable citizens of this country and of a greater country.

Those who have had an encounter with Jesus Christ (like the Ethiopian eunuch) have great joy because of the freedom that comes with knowing Him.

We are challenged to display Christlike Humility and Trustful Peacemaking as members of a Christ-centered church culture.

In order to exhibit the characteristics of a truly Christian church culture, followers of Jesus need the transforming grace of the Gospel to change their hearts.

Looking down the trail of a Jesus-centered church culture.

God did not design us to be self-sufficient in the church, but to minister to one another using our gifts.

Christians should not seek conformity with the world, but mere nonconformity is NOT the main goal. The main goal is transformation. The Christian life is being captivated by the mercy of God as motivation to worship out of love for Jesus. Nonconformity that ignores God's mercy and spurns transformation is reduced to legalism.

The mercy of God lets Christians present our whole selves to God to accomplish His purposes. For this reason, we can find hope and purpose in the midst of COVID-19 and racial tension.

The most important question that can be asked is "Who is Jesus?" He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and he will build his church.

We must look to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and live as his sheep in today's world.

God gives a spiritual endowment to each believer beyond individual gifts so that we will serve each other and the world in the strength of God and for the building of his kingdom.

We need to earnestly pray that we would see the circumstances of this current life in light of the truths that we know about God.

We must look to Christ as our example for loving one another through love, humility, and gentleness.

God is the source of abundant life for believers, regardless of external circumstances.

Hope in suffering can be found in future glory with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Christ endured the wrath of God and the insults of men so that we would not have to.

Christ is the sure foundation of our faith. Built on that foundation, we are secure. There we are guarded from spiritual harm. Even if we should die from COVID-19, our souls are safe forever.

Thomas' faith was made sight in a season of acute doubt when he saw the risen Lord Jesus.

God ordains troubles in our lives to point us to to Him and to work His purposes. He was at work in the life of Job in the midst of Job's troubles and He ultimately brought the trouble of crucifixion on to Jesus for our ultimate good! His purposes are good, and he will bring them to pass.

In trying times, all may appear bleak, pallid, and lifeless on the surface. But, below the surface, God is at work bringing life from death, sickness, and pain. His Glory shines as He works in the hearts of children in this way. He preserves all creation, even as sin touches it all. But more than that, he preserves His children as His own and He can be trusted.