VISION

LET'S KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER

BY DOUGLAS RILEY, COMMISSIONER

IT’S NO SECRET there are a number of things in our world that cause dissension. All you have to do is turn on the TV, sign in to Facebook or read the tabloid headlines while you’re in line at the grocery store. We live in an age where anything can be an argument—even if it was not the initial intent. And sometimes those things can turn even the best of friends against each other. But let’s not let it.

As The Salvation Army, we are called to be more like God and less like the world. Let’s start today with a renewed focus on him.

You don’t need me to say the past two years haven’t been easy. You know. Whether the pandemic caused you to lose your livelihood or life as you knew it, we’re all still processing the grief that remains. Still, I have faith. I have hope that we will emerge stronger, more connected. We are The Salvation Army. It can only be done with our eyes on him and our focus on Scripture—it guides us and helps us fully grasp God’s design for us. Returning to Scripture reminds us of what truly matters. It keeps us from distractions and those things that divide us.

We have a solid foundation, started on the streets of London in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. They walked the streets, preaching to the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. You may have even heard of our early motto from that time: Soup, Soap and Salvation.

While the world has changed in many, many ways since 1865, The Salvation Army’s mission has not. Sure, we’ve come up with a number of creative ways to carry it out—and I’m proud of how our officers, soldiers, employees and volunteers have nimbly pivoted our services, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must not lose sight of this. We must not lose sight of Scripture.

Now, let’s draw closer to God and not allow social issues to drive cracks into our foundation. Instead of wasting our short time on this earth fighting each other, let’s fight against the desire to be critical and controversial, which can water down the Gospel.

This is The Salvation Army, an army mighty in power and purpose. We can’t allow political pressures to drive us against each other. We can’t lose our faith. We need to keep Jesus at the center. And we need each other.

The Salvation Army is an international movement in 132 countries. While we might display our worship differently throughout the world, we are unified in our core beliefs, our doctrines. In addition to Scripture, they hold us to our commitment to practice what we preach.

As God’s army, The Salvation Army, we are called to be more like him and less like the world. This year, let’s do so with a renewed focus on him.

The Salvation Army’s 11 articles of faith reflect its determination to remain faithful to its standards and principles. Let’s review these principles and reaffirm before God our dedication to him and his good works.

Let’s bring out the best in each other and renew our focus on our ministry and mission. God will be honored, and we will continue to see even greater things to his honor and glory.

Find The Salvation Army’s doctrines and more at caringmagazine. org/the-salvation-army-101. | C |

Commissioner Douglas Riley is the Western Territorial Commander. | PHOTO BY JOHN DOCTER

THE DOCTRINES OF THE SALVATION ARMY

As set out in Schedule 1 of The Salvation Army Act 1980

WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

WE BELIEVE that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

WE BELIEVE that there are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

WE BELIEVE that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

WE BELIEVE that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

WE BELIEVE that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

WE BELIEVE that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

WE BELIEVE that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

WE BELIEVE that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.