Last week in TRUE DOCTRINE, Part 3, we took a look at the kinds of things that do not support sound doctrine. Things like sins of sexual immorality, murder, dishonesty, etc. We also saw that anything that causes dispute rather than Godly edification is considered to be contrary to sound doctrine, including the often heated arguments about differences in beliefs!
But what does the Bible call “sound doctrine”?
The Apostle Paul is very specific about what is “contrary” to sound doctrine, and he also doesn’t leave us in the dark about what constitutes sound doctrine. Let’s go to the book of Titus:
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things – That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” (Titus 2:1-8 NKJV)
Friends, we can have differing opinions about the version of the Bible we like to read. We can differ in our interpretation of prophecy. We can even have different opinions about grammar. But we are commissioned to teach what the Bible defines as “sound doctrine” — to be sober, to be reverent and temperate and sound in faith, and to love and have patience, etc. — so that we may stand as ONE!
But are these “doctrines” supported throughout the rest of the Bible?
Let’s look at Prov 4:2: “For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.” (NKJV)
And just what is that law?
Jesus sums it up as follows: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37 NKJV)!
So does being sober and reverent and temperate fall into these categories?
Most definitely.
And what of patience, love, honesty, and reverence towards God?
Absolutely.
Let’s take a look at another passage: “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.‘” (Mark 1:25-28 NKJV)
This passage speaks of yet another kind of doctrine: The doctrine of authority over evil spirits. Now there’s a doctrine not often seen in our mainline denominations! Yet this was a vital part of Jesus’ ministry! He came to set the captives free! “The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.” (Ps 146:7 NKJV)
And what about this verse? “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7: 16 NKJV). Here Jesus is telling us that doctrine is not of human definition, but rather, it is the doctrine of God Himself!
Friends, nowhere in the Bible is true doctrine anything but in 100% accordance with what Jesus’ commands us: To love God and to love one another!
Let’s consider one more passage, this one from the book of Timothy:
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:2-5 NKJV)
I think that pretty much sums it up, friend. All of our doctrinal disputes are for naught! We seek after others who believe the same as we do, then we argue with and criticize our fellow Christians from other churches because they don’t believe the same way. And in all of this, we are NOT showing the world a picture of God’s love!
I don’t know about you, but I want to stop arguing with my fellow Christians. I want to learn to love them and to respect them, especially when we may not agree on points of doctrine. But mostly, I want to stand beside them as ONE, despite our differences, so that the world may see the God has sent me!
If you would like to take this stand with me, please email me at helpmelearnaboutjesus@gmail.com.
Join us next week for one more lesson on True Doctrine: TRUE DOCTRINE, Part 5: What Happens when True Doctrine is NOT Taught?
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Mother of two teens, Speech-Language Pathologist, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, www.scripturalnuggets.org, with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org.
(To access the entire “True Doctrine: A Pentacost Message” mini-series, please click here.)