DO NOT TREAT DOCTRINE LIGHTLY

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9 ESV)

After over thirty years of teaching Christian adults in several churches, I cannot tell you how often I have heard statements in various forms similar to this: “I don’t want to know doctrines. I just want to know Jesus.” This clever response gives the appearance of a deep spirituality but often I have found that the Jesus they are seeking to know is more the idol of their imaginations than the Jesus found in the Bible.

When we talk about Christian doctrines, we are discussing the truth of the Bible. Christian doctrine establishes the biblical truth and refutes error. Doctrine displays the very heart of the Christian faith. It is both appropriate and applicable for living as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. When the imaginations and commandments of men are substituted for sound doctrines, the minds of men are darkened and they wander further from the truth of God. (Matthew 15:8-9 ESV)

To despise doctrine is to despise the Word of God. (R. C. Sproul)

The doctrines of the Bible help us to reason precisely and then proceed properly according to the truth of the Bible. When our doctrine is sound, we glorify God and we really get to know the Jesus of the Bible. We must not turn from the truth of sound doctrine to satisfy our itching ears. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV) Read the Bible. Study the creeds and confessions of the church. Spend time in The Westminster Confession of Faith and eventually Bible doctrines will become clearer and your relationship with Jesus will grow. Hold on to sound doctrine. Let us conclude with these words from Charles H. Spurgeon:

Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. Take away from professing Christians their love of frivolities, their attempts to meet the world on its own ground, and give back the old love of the doctrines of the Cross and Christ. May free grace and dying love again be the music that refreshes the church and makes her heart exceeding glad. (Charles Spurgeon)