NON-NEGOTIABLE

Psalm 119:30 (KJV) “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.” 

“Men do not drop into the right way by chance; they must choose it, and continue to choose it, or they will soon wander from it.” (Spurgeon) 

The true church, for a time, chose to adhere to and follow THE TRUTH, among the true church arose individuals who decided that there were aspects of THE TRUTH were optional and could be negotiated with and adjusted; in some cases, THE TRUTH was altogether forgotten. 

There is a call to us form the mouth of God, spend time with THE TRUTH, learn THE TRUTH, receive THE TRUTH, and be constantly CHANGE by THE TRUTH! Understanding that THE TRUTH is NON-NEGOTIABLE. 

We must spend time on the non-negotiables (of God’s Word) so that our lives may glorify God. – Dennis Rainey 

Non-negotiable means that something is fixed, absolute, not open for debate, bargaining, modification. It is essentially a line drawn in the sand. This line is bold, deep, and unavoidable. 

God has provided foundational truths, commandments, and doctrines in His Word that should never be compromised, changed, or ignored in the life of the believer or in the church. 

The gospel is not meant to bend to culture, convenience, or trends. As one writer put it: “We must conform to the Word of God, not try to conform the Word of God to us.” 

These things which are non-negotiable for the believer and for the church as a whole, fall into two categories; WHAT WE BELIEVE and HOW WE LIVE. 

1. THEOLOGICAL NON-NEGOTIABLES (WHAT WE BELIEVE)– Theological non‑negotiables’ are the core doctrines God has revealed about Himself, salvation, and the Christian faith. 

• They define the true God. If we get God wrong, everything else is wrong. 
  The Trinity, the deity of Christ, the nature of the Spirit — these are not optional details. They are the identity of God. 

• They protect the purity of the gospel. A negotiable gospel becomes a powerless gospel. 
  If sin is minimized, grace is minimized. 
  If Christ is reduced, salvation is reduced. 

• They anchor the church in truth. Culture shifts. Feelings shift. Opinions shift. 
  But God’s truth does not. 
  Theological non‑negotiables’ keep the church from drifting. 

• They shape how we live. Doctrine is not abstract — it forms character, worship, holiness, and mission. 
  What we believe about God determines how we walk with God. 

• They guard us from deception. Every false teaching begins by softening or questioning a core doctrine. 
  Theological non‑negotiables’ act as guardrails that keep believers safe. 

1. The Triune Godhead – Matthew 28:19 “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 

This is the clearest Trinitarian formula in Scripture — one Name, three Persons. 

2. The Deity and Work of Jesus Christ – John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

This establishes Christ’s eternal deity and divine nature. 

3. The Infallibility of the Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” 

This grounds all doctrine in God breathed revelation. 

4. Humanity’s Sinful Nature – Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” 

This explains the universal human condition. 

5. Salvation by Grace – Through Faith – Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works…” 

This shows God’s remedy for man’s condition. 

6. The Promise of the Infilling of the Holy Ghost for Every Believer – Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…” 

This affirms the Spirit’s empowerment for all believers. 

Theological non‑negotiables’ are the truths that define Christianity. If we surrender these, we surrender the faith itself. These are the truths we stand on, live by, and if necessary, die for. 

2. LIFESTYLES NON-NEGOTIABLES (HOW WE LIVE)- Lifestyle non‑negotiables’ are the essential practices, attitudes, and behaviors that every believer must embrace in order to live out the gospel they profess. They are not suggestions, preferences, or personality‑based choices — they are the visible evidence of a transformed life. 

• They are the fruit of genuine salvation. A changed heart produces a changed life. 
  Lifestyle non‑negotiables’ are not how we earn salvation; they are how salvation shows. 

• They reveal the character of Christ in us. Love, repentance, holiness, faithfulness, prayer, and devotion to the Word are not human achievements; they are Christ’s life being formed in us. 

• They distinguish believers from the world. Without lifestyle non‑negotiables’, Christianity becomes indistinguishable from culture. 
  Holiness, obedience, and discipleship mark us as God’s people. 

• They protect the believer from drifting. A life without repentance, prayer, or the Word becomes spiritually vulnerable. 
  Lifestyle non‑negotiables’ keep the believer anchored and aligned. 

• They demonstrate the gospel to others. People may debate doctrine, but they cannot deny a transformed life. 
  Lifestyle non‑negotiables’ make the invisible gospel visible. 

• They keep the believer in fellowship with God. Prayer, worship, obedience, and the Word are not religious duties; they are relational lifelines. 

1. Love for God and Others – Matthew 22:37–39 “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” 

Love is the foundation of all Christian living. 

2. Repentance of Sins – Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted…” 

Repentance is the believer’s first response to God’s love. 

3. Obedience and Holiness – 1 Peter 1:15–16 “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 

Holiness is the lifestyle of those who belong to God. 

4. Faithfulness and Discipleship – Luke 9:23 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” 

Discipleship is daily, consistent surrender. 

5. Prayer and Worship – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” 

Prayer and worship are the believer’s continual posture. 

6. Keeping and Studying the Oracles of God – Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” 

The Word sustains, shapes, and sanctifies the believer. 

Lifestyle non-negotiable are the daily responses God expects from every believer. They are the habits, disciplines, and attitudes that flow from a heart changed by grace. Lifestyle non‑negotiables are the practices God uses to form Christ in us and reveal Christ through us. 

God’s non-negotiables are not burdens; they are blessings. They protect us, shape us, and keep us aligned with His heart. When we honor what God has declared non-negotiable, our lives become a testimony that truly glorifies Him. 

Everything God has declared non-negotiable is meant to protect your soul, anchor your faith, and shape you into the image of Christ. 

When we negotiate what God has made non-negotiable, we weaken our walk, we confuse our identity, and we drift from the very life God is trying to give us. 

Some people try to live with one foot on God’s side of the line and one foot on the world’s side. 

God is calling the church to come back into alignment with His design. To be what He has called us and ordained us to be. May we examine ourselves and seek His face; determining to surrender, once again, to His will. 

The choice is ours.

Choose the Living God, the merciful God, the God who changes lives and redeems your story. Stand where God stands. Surrender to what He has declared non‑negotiable; and watch Him shape your life into a testimony that truly glorifies Him.

HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY AND REST OF YOUR WEEK!