Doctrine Divides!

Doctrine Divides! Everyone who cares about sound doctrine has heard this. For some reason though people say that in some sort of derogitriy way against doctrine. As if it is the cause of unnecessary strife and division. Saying something like if we did not have to worry about doctrine we could all just get a long. After all isn't that what Jesus wanted? For all of us to just get along.(then why did Jesus say I did not come to bring peace but a sword Matt 10:34)

Well to the people who say doctrine divides. I got this to say. Yes it sure does! To quote someone who wasn't seeker freindly but right "Doctrine divides the beleivers from the heretics." Honestly, unfortunately I do not remember who said that but it is true! Doctrine could be the line between heaven and hell! Lets say you have doctrine of works and I have one of faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, for the glory of God alone and scripture alone. You see the importance of doctrine? It so misguided and foolish to see all the different points of views out there get frustrated and through your hands up in the air and say "Doctrine divides, lets not worry about it and all just get along!"

Well lets see what scripture has to say about doctrine. The Bible expects us to have doctrine. Look at 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, We are supposed to have a doctrine and its supposed to come from scripture. If our doctrine is not from scripture then we can lay it aside but doctrine itself is not bad especially if its scriptural! Notice too how the Bible presupposes that we are to have doctrine! The only source of sound doctrine through can be from Bible. Anything else is folly and heresy.

Lets look at another example. Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. This one concerns a warning about doctrine. It’s clear that there are bad doctrines around but Paul acknowledges that and says YOU TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE! We are expected to have doctrine and our response to bad doctrine is to teach what is sound. Not put aside doctrine.

This reminds me of another verse. 2 Tim 4:3 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; This time is now! A time full of different doctrines where people want doctrine that makes them happy. The scriptural response is not to cater to their wants! The response to the problem is the verses before it! 2 Tim 4:22Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching Don't give up! Stand firm on the word and don't budge set forth the standard of the word! Is what the scripture is saying! Thats the response not compromise!

Lastly was Jesus concened about doctine? If he was not why would he so often say beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt 8:15, Matt 16:6,Luke 12:1..the list goes on)? Scripture then confirms that he is speaking about doctrine. Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees(Matt 16:12). Speaking of leaven..Should we put up with just a little bad doctrine? Well what do we know about just a little leaven does?

Finally, I want to say gaurding sound doctrine is not just the job of Pastors, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders. The promotion of sound doctrine is seen in how you live. Live out your doctrine! Let people see your doctrinal statement should be visible in your life style. "What do mean." you may say. Well do you beleive in Evangelism? How often do Evangelize? Do you believe scripture is God's word? Do you treat it that way? Do you read it? Do you submit yourself to it? Do you believe God is good? Does your life then look like you are offering yourself in service in gratitude? Thats what I mean when I say live your doctrine. The only way doctrine can be dead is if you "believe" it but don't live it! If you live it you are teaching it to a watching world that needs it! But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22)

Editor's note: Some of the material in this is a reduplication of what I put in the comment of someone else's blog; where I was putting my thoughts on doctrine. This is definately not a personal attack on that person. That person definately believes in sound doctrine. That got me thinking and I added to my thoughts and hence this blog post.