Christian Living
In this day and age there is an idea that is ever growing in popularity; this idea is that doctrine is unimportant, or even worse, that it is bad.
In today's society we have many who proclaim different "truths" which is all the more reason that sound doctrine is as important now as it ever was. You will find that there are a myriad of religious persuasions that abound, but as we have mentioned before there is only one True gospel.
What does the Bible teach about doctrine, and what does the word "Doctrine" mean? The word "Doctrine" is the Greek word, "Didache" and means, "1) teaching a) that which is taught b) doctrine, teaching, concerning something 2) the act of teaching, instruction a) in religious assemblies of the Christians, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction from other modes of speaking in public"
Look at the following verses and then tell me whether or not you think doctrine is important:
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. John 7:17
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Acts 13:12
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine... 1 Timothy 1:3
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine... 1 Timothy 1:10
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Timothy 4:6
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness... 2 Timothy 3:16
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed... 2 John 1:9
The reason that sound teaching is so important is that everyone lives within their own "House of beliefs." The kind of "House" you build will determine whether or not you live free or live in bondage. Paul the apostle writes,
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
In Galatians 5:1 Paul writes,
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
The point is simple: If a particular teaching is not true then it's a lie, and if you live in lies then your are living in bondage rather than in the freedom that Christ purchased for you.
Once I was helping a friend build a stall door for their barn; I was very young and had no experience in carpentry whatsoever; without any tools and using only my eyes, I threw up a temporary stall door until someone more experienced could come in and fix it properly
About ten minutes after I had finished I noticed that my work was lacking, in fact, my door was as crooked as a dogs hind leg! What did I do wrong? I didn't use a level; I didn't use the tool that would keep my door straight and proportioned.
Carpenters today use levels and plumblines to ensure that a house is straight and in the same way the Word of God, namely sound doctrine is the tool we have to keep our "House of Beliefs" from being crooked and distorted.
Dear believer I encourage you not to despise the term "Doctine" but rather realize that sound doctrine is simply Truth that God has given you to base your life upon. When you do this your faith will then grow in strength because it's based on the Truth rather than on confusion and falsehood.
This article is an excerpt of Gracespirations Daily Devotion by Paul Rupe.
Paul has served as an associate pastor as well as a number of other positions in his local fellowship. He currently is web administrator for Gracespirations Daily Devotion an outreach of Teleo Ministries.
You can visit Paul online at http://teleoministries.blogspot.com
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