July 21, 2008
Recently I received an email from a ministry that was being attacked for their stand regarding the move in Lakeland, Florida. In no uncertain terms it was told that sound doctrine has no place in the church, as long as the believer is sincere. It said that doctrine divides and as such was foundationally a bad thing. It was further clearly made to know that Christians should just put their exclusiveness and doctrine aside and embrace everyone. Unity was far more important than being right.
Since there is no doubt that doctrine can be divisive those are noble albeit not biblically sound motives. I agree that a hallmark of true Christian faith is shown by our desire to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves. I agree wholeheartedly that unity and sincerity are important. BUT.....
All the sincerity in the world is meaningless if you are sincere about the wrong things. I can sincerely believe that I can step off my roof and fly and that the law of gravity does not apply to me. That's fine until you step off the roof and fall.
Truth is not dependent upon whether or not you believe it. It remains true regardless. Being sincere about salvation through any means other than Jesus leads you straight to hell. Sincerity is important, but you need to be sincere about the truth.
We are called by God to hold and teach sound doctrine.
1
Timothy 4:16 NIV
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you
do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Titus
2:1 NIV
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
We are still to love those who hold different doctrinal positions, but that does not mean we compromise our own or allow their errors to creep into the church.
The Word of God by its very nature is divisive. It divides truth from error. It divides darkness and light. It divides the saved and the damned.
Hebrews
4:12 NIV
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
In a world that rejects truth, and is tolerant of anything but truth, sound doctrine is an unpopular thing. It was an unpopular thing in Jesus day and that fact has not changed.
We are to love one another, but we are to hold fast to truth and not waiver in it. It is important to know not only what you believe, but why you believe it. We are dealing with matters of eternal importance when we look at God's truth. We are called to contend for the truth.
JUDE
1:3 NIV
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the
salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith
that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
We are to know the truth and we are to fight for it, even when it is unpopular and politically incorrect.
Until
next time, hold fast to sound doctrine, let the word always be the thing that
you stand on. And having done all to stand; STAND!
Darrel Mason