“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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
(2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Concerning sound doctrine, approximately 2000 years ago, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul accurately portrayed the state of what is figuratively called "Christianity" today. If you don't like the teaching and requirements of one group just shop around until you find one that agrees with you. Can't find one? Not to worry, start your own. Trying to find a truly Christian group is like walking through a well-used pasture without a 'meadow-muffin' detector. The overwhelming odds are your going to step in something and be soiled.
There is only one God, one sound doctrine, and one source of spiritual knowledge (the Bible). All that we see around us today is the result of man trying to weasel out of what God has set as a standard. Oh, the excuses are many:
- I know what that verse says, but here is what it really means.
- That doesn't apply to today's complex lifestyle.
- There's nothing mentioned about it in the Bible, so we have to use our own consciences.
-The Bible was written for a civilization much different than ours and it really doesn't apply anymore.
etc., etc.
These are only a few of the brainless excuses man uses to deviate from doctrine which is sound. No matter what excuses are set forward we are faced with the fact,
- All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,...
(2Ti 3:16)MKJV
- Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval.
(2Ti 3:16)GWB
Also we find this admonition in Hebrews 13:9,
- Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way. It is good to receive inner strength from God's grace,...
The truth is that His Doctrine has not changed in all of eternity. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; and in Him there is no deviation.See James 1:17
Salvation is dependent upon belief in sound doctrine. Our Lord and Savior addressed this:
- Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!
(Mat 7:21-23)
Well, this destroys the popular belief that you can do what you want as long as you love Jesus. Take note that Jesus tells us you must 'Do the Will' of the Father and that He shuns 'those working lawlessness.' For there to be lawlessness indicates that there must be a Law to follow. The only law we know that is of the Father is the Ten Commandments, something which is ignored by much of today's Christianity.
Being a follower of Jesus, a Christian, means living according to His Teaching & Will. In John 5:30 Jesus tells us.
- I can do nothing of My own self. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.
Being a Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. does not guarantee eternal life. Following sound doctrine which is doing God's will is the part of the foundation for eternal life. Beware! Just because the Church, denomination, or group you belong to tells you that certain acts, lifestyles etc. are ok, doesn't mean that they are acceptable to Our Heavenly Father. Flee from any group who tells you, 'Oh, that's a matter of conscience.' It most certainly is not! It is all a matter of obedience to Our God's Sound Doctrine; not man's rendition of His Doctrine.
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Sound Doctrine
page created 05/01/2011.