Pursue Sound Doctrine
By Daryl O’Neil
We truly have entered the days that are spoken of in the word of God. These are the last days. Many are choosing to forsake sound doctrine: the teachings and instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ and pursuing teaching that will fulfill their own desires. Saints, if there is anything that we have to guard our heart against it is following after our own desires. Especially in these days. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, as he is warning Timothy of things to come.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus-- who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom-- to preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not. Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, encourage them to do right, and all the time be feeding them patiently with God's Word. For there is going to come a time when people won't listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won't listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas. (TLB)
And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus-- who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom-- to preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not. Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, encourage them to do right, and all the time be feeding them patiently with God's Word. For there is going to come a time when people won't listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won't listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas. (TLB)
I feel a real strong desire to exhort you as a believer to continue to pursue Christ and the teachings of Christ like never before. We are to exhibit the nature of Christ and the only way it will occur is if we continue to meditate, rehearse and practice the doctrines of the apostles. Paul tells Timothy to correct your people when necessary, encourage them to do right and patiently feed them the word of God.
I believe we are entering the season where true apostles & prophets of God are going to once again contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. If we do not practice the things we are being taught, how will we ever know if the teaching is sound?
We are continuing the process of becoming fully an apostolic people, helping to establish the Kingdom of God in the earth through our living. We continue to be willing to submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit to help make our daily living correspond accurately to the commands of scripture. Doctrine is very important and powerful. I want to share with you a saying I picked up from Kevin Conner from his resource ‘The Foundations of Christian Doctrine.’
Doctrine that is received, believed, and obeyed will affect our character, behavior & destiny.
If we are receiving words that are from God, when we practice them they should produce the nature of Christ within us. This is a principle way to know if teaching is from God. I want to state this emphatically the only way to know if doctrine is false is by doing it. If it does not produce bible results after practice or the nature of Christ in our lives after doing it, then it cannot be from God. The word of God clearly indicates in Isaiah chapter 55...my word shall not return void...!
If we are receiving words that are from God, when we practice them they should produce the nature of Christ within us. This is a principle way to know if teaching is from God. I want to state this emphatically the only way to know if doctrine is false is by doing it. If it does not produce bible results after practice or the nature of Christ in our lives after doing it, then it cannot be from God. The word of God clearly indicates in Isaiah chapter 55...my word shall not return void...!
That is a true saying. Strong character is determined by strong beliefs. Clearly defined doctrine makes for clear- cut convictions. A persons beliefs are molded by either the empty philosophies of men or the inspired word of God. We define doctrine as something taught; teachings or instruction. In our case, the truths of the word of God that are to be taught constitute doctrine.
When we look at the gospel of Luke (1:1-4) we look at what could be defined as the purpose of doctrine. To set forth, in order, a declaration of things most surely believed among us, as we have been instructed.
We are living in days that we have to know what we believe. We must be people who live by the values and morals of the word of God with conviction. We must know whom & what we believe. Just for example, we need to be taught correct doctrine concerning the 1. Scriptures 2. God 3.Christ 4.The Holy Spirit 5. Angels 6.Satan 7.Man 8.The Atonement 9.The Eternal States. These are just some of the doctrinal topics that if we don’t know or believe what the Word of God has to say on these subjects we can find our destiny hanging in the balance.
Jesus lived His life with conviction and as we follow Him we must do likewise. On several occasions in the word (John 7:16, 8:28, 12:49) Jesus indicated that He spoke His fathers words and at His direction. I believe that in order for us to walk in victory we will need to speak inspired only by what God the Father has said.
Jesus lived His life with conviction and as we follow Him we must do likewise. On several occasions in the word (John 7:16, 8:28, 12:49) Jesus indicated that He spoke His fathers words and at His direction. I believe that in order for us to walk in victory we will need to speak inspired only by what God the Father has said.
I want to exhort you to with all diligence to pursue sound doctrine because that is the way the nature of Christ will be developed in us. Blessings!
Friday, June 22, 2007
