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the doctrine of the gospel
Doctrine is very important to the Christian, just as important is where did the doctrine come from? Did it come from man or did it come from God? We must recognize that the religious world is full of man made doctrines. Can these man made doctrines be of any value to us as a Christian? They are what they are, therefore we need not heed them, we should always look to God’s Word for the true doctrine, as we are informed that the doctrine that can be trusted comes from God: (Acts 13:12) "Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." Even Jesus Christ did NOT make his own doctrine: (John 7:16) "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." If Jesus, the Son of God did not make up his own doctrine how can man even suppose that he has the right to make, write and enforce his doctrine upon others. Friends, book, chapter and verse is always of the utmost importance. Where would I suggest that you go when you are seeking to find doctrine? I would suggest that you go to the scriptures which are inspired by and are profitable for doctrine: (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:" The doctrine that you will find in the scriptures are “according to godliness: (1 Tim 6:3) "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;" Would you not rather to rely on doctrine that is “according to godliness” than that which some man or a group of men have made up? What advantage is there to following the doctrine that comes from God’s Word? Allow me to refer you to the words of the apostle John: (1 John 1:3) "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Did you notice what it was that John declared? He wrote that it was what they had seen and heard; John is not referring to rumors or gossip, he is referring to what he and others had seen and heard from Jesus Christ. Why did you declare this to others John? That those who heard him could have “fellowship with us”; where is your fellowship John, “our fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ”. We should also consider what he wrote in his second epistle: (2 John 1:9) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." Don’t you find it interesting that John gives both the negative and positive side of “abiding in the doctrine of Christ? I don’t see the need to write anything further to the words of John as he has stated the truth about “abiding in the doctrine of Christ in plain and simple words that are easy to understand. The apostle Paul gives us further information on the subject of doctrine: (Rom 6:17-18) "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." In verse seventeen Paul tells us that the doctrine that he and others preached and taught would lead to obedience from the heart; this is the only obedience that will do the sinner any good! In verse eighteen he tells us that the doctrine which we obeyed has made us “FREE FROM SIN”. Is this not what we are searching for? May I suggest that if you have not searched the scriptures for doctrine to make you free from sin that you begin to do so today? In verse eighteen Paul also tells us that the doctrine that was delivered will change you, i.e. you will “become servants of righteousness”. I believe that you will find this change in your life not only to be a joyous change you will also find it a privilege to serve God in righteousness. I will close this article with a word of advice to those who would preach or teach from the words of Paul: (1 Tim 4:6) "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." Paul advises the young preacher Timothy to remind the brethren of “good doctrine”. “Good doctrine” only comes from the Word of God. Preach or teach that which comes from the scriptures is my advice to you through the pen of an inspired writer. Preach the Word brethren!
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