We believe . . .
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that faith in Jesus Christ always leads a believer to create works that are pleasurable to God. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). As a branch in Christ the vine, a Christian produces good fruit (John 15:5).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that works pleasurable to God are works of love, for "love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:10). Faith, however, does not set up its own principles to decide what is loving (Matthew 15:9). True faith delights to do only what agrees with God's holy will. That will of God is revealed in the Bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments as their content is recurring in the New Testament. In struggling with current moral troubles, the Christian will therefore search for answers from God's law.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that good works, which are fruits of faith, must be distinguished from works of public virtue performed by unbelievers. Although unbelievers may do much that appears to be good and upright, these works are not good in God's sight, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). While we identify the value of such works for humanity, we know that unbelievers cannot complete their responsibility to God through works of civic righteousness.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that the Holy Spirit enables every believer to create good works as fruits of faith (Galatians 5:22-25). The Holy Spirit gives every believer a new nature, or "new man," that cooperates with the Holy Spirit in doing good works. The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to inspire believers to do good works.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that individuals are free to make their own decisions regarding matters that are neither prohibited nor commanded by God's Word (adiaphora). People must be cautious, however, that their use of this freedom does not cause others to sin.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that the Fifth Commandment teaches that all human life is a gift from God. This commandment speaks against abortion, suicide, and euthanasia ("mercy killing").
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that the Sixth Commandment regulates marriage and the family. God instituted marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6). It is the only proper context for sexual intimacy and the procreation of children. A marriage can be ended without sin only when God ends the marriage through the death of one of the spouses. Nevertheless, a Christian may obtain a divorce if his or her spouse has broken the marriage through adultery (Matthew 19:9) or malicious desertion (1 Corinthians 7:15). We believe that since scripture does not specifically prohibit remarriage of the innocent spouse that it is acceptable to do so. We believe that if the spouse in the wrong does remarry that this person has committed the sin of adultery again and will continue living in sin as long as he or she is remarried. The Sixth Commandment forbids all sexual intimacy apart from marriage, including homosexuality which God views as an abomination any way (1 Corinthians 6:9,10).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that in this world even the best works of Christians are spoiled with sin. A sinful nature still afflicts every Christian. Therefore Christians often fail to do the good they want to do but keep on doing the evil they do not want to do (Romans 7:18-21). They must confess that all their righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Because of Christ's redemption, however, these imperfect efforts of Christians are considered holy and acceptable by their heavenly Father.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that The Holy Spirit also equips the church with all the spiritual gifts it needs for its well-being (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). During the beginning of the New Testament era, special charismatic gifts were given to the church, such as signs, miracles, and speaking in tongues. These gifts were connected with the ministry of the apostles (2 Corinthians 12:12). There is no evidence in Scripture that we today should expect the continuation of such charismatic gifts.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that a life of prayer is a fruit of faith. Confidently, through faith in their Savior, Christians speak to their heavenly Father with petitions and praise. They present their needs and the needs of others, and they give thanks (1 Timothy 2:1). Such prayers are a delight to God, and he grants their requests according to his wisdom (Matthew 7:7,8; 1 John 5:14).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject any view that considers the act of praying a means of grace. Although God certainly gives good gifts to believers in answer to their prayers, he conveys his forbearing grace and strengthens faith only through the Word and sacraments. Furthermore, we reject any view that looks upon prayer as beneficial only because it helps the one who prays feel better.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace rebuff every attempt to abolish the unchanging moral law of God as revealed in the Bible as the ultimate standard of what is right and wrong.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace rebuff the view that people may decide for themselves what is right and wrong apart from God's Word. We reject any misuse of the term love to condone behavior contrary to God's Word. We identify these arguments as schemes of Satan to cloak the knowledge of God's holy will and to demoralize the consciousness of sin.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject every thought that the good works of Christians in any way earn or contribute toward establishing a right relationship with God and gaining salvation in heaven.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject the view that all prayers are acceptable to God, and we hold that the prayers of all who do not have faith in Christ are vain babbling addressed to false gods (Matthew 6:7). This is what Scripture instructs about good works and prayer.
