The New Church - A Christian Perspective
Spiritual life is not merely following religious rituals, attending church, or going through the motions of faith with our outward actions alone. It’s not about obeying God’s commandments simply for the sake of appearance, social approval, or fear of punishment. True spiritual life does not consist in empty words, self-righteousness, or merely believing the right things while our hearts remain unchanged.
The heart of spiritual life is allowing God to transform our inner self, so that our thoughts, intentions, and loves come from Him. As this inner change takes place, it naturally brings about a genuine change in the way we live outwardly. True Christianity, from a New Church perspective, is an inward-outward transformation, with the Lord working first in our hearts (“the inner man”) and then overflowing into our everyday actions (“the outward man”) (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 7:22)
The New Church encourages believers to take an active role in their spiritual journey, fostering a deeper connection with the Lord.
The New Church emphasises the importance of living a loving and compassionate life and believing in the Word of God. It encourages individuals to actively participate in their spiritual growth, rather than relying solely on the merit of Christ.
According to the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, the New Church represents a new era of spiritual understanding and enlightenment, bringing together all the previous churches.
The primary goal of the New Church is to establish a partnership between individuals and the Lord. It seeks to enable believers to be in Him and Him in them, as stated in John 14:20 and John 15:4-6. This union with the divine is considered the essence of the Christian Church, and the New Church strives to facilitate this profound connection through its teachings and practices.
The New Church holds a set of essential teachings that form the foundation of its doctrine. It believes in one God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and recognizes that faith in Him is the key to salvation. The New Church also emphasizes the importance of avoiding evil and doing good, understanding that these actions stem from God and lead to a more fulfilling spiritual life.
In conclusion, the New Church is a Christian denomination that offers a unique perspective on faith and spirituality. It encourages believers to take an active role in their spiritual growth and establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The New Church strives to fulfill the ultimate goal of the Christian Church, which is to establish a partnership between individuals and the Lord.