In Light of the New Covenant which Jesus established what are the dogmatic beliefs that are non-negotiable, and what is the difference between Christian Liberty and Christian Responsibility?
We look at the essentials and then begin to break down the Shoulds and the Oughts.
Here lies the problem, how do we live that out in the light of adiaphora.
Every Christian has to deal with areas in the daily Christian life that are affected by the process of living. This is why it is so important to learn the Biblical Principle of Balance.
There are going to be area’s that are not essentially Christian doctrine or dogma. There will be opinions about what is good, better or best. This leads us into a discussion of Shoulds and Oughts. Things which we should or should not do. Things which we Ought or Ought not do. So what is the difference between a should and an ought?
A “should” is an opinion about that which a person “Ought” or “Ought not” do.
An “Ought” indicates obligation, duty, or correctness, in a legal sense.
In other words, when we say a person Ought to obey the law, we are making a moral claim. But if I declare that a person “should” do something, that may or may not force the person into something they “Ought” to do.
[Sermon by Pastor Justin Pierce]
See also: Part One, Establishing a Better Covenant by the Better Melchizedek
