Do we put so much emphasis on maintaining correct doctrine that we forget correct behavior?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! James 2:14-19
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:12-17
Emphatically yes!
If we don’t keep front and center the dignity, humility, and responsibility that is grounded in being made in God’s image, we won’t see sin as serious and tragic, and we won’t see the urgency of sharing the gospel declaration that humans can be restored to their Creator and to their purpose. And if we don’t keep front and center that great truth that every person is a person made in God’s image, then we prove to be callously indifferent (in our actions if not in our emotions) to the needs of our neighbors.
Darling, Daniel. The Dignity Revolution: Reclaiming God’s Rich Vision for Humanity (p. 21). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.
Doctrine – Imago Dei
Behavior is “callously indifferent (in our actions if not in our emotions) to the needs of our neighbors.” Surely these needs aren’t limited to soul care (James 2:14-19)