Sound Doctrine
Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
(1 Timothy 1:9-10 NKJV)
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 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 4:2-4 NKJV)
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. (Titus 1:7-11 NKJV)
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:(Titus 2:1 NKJV)
What is Sound Doctrine?
The word sound has to do with something that is wholesome or healthy. Doctrine has to do with instruction or teaching. We who teach are held to a higher standard than the listeners according to James 3:1. James seems to imply that a teacher needs to act like he believes what he is teaching. I think James might also be implying that a teacher should know that what he is teaching is true. There are those today in the modern church that tell me that they try to avoid doctrine because according to them doctrine divides. I have failed to understand their argument because all our fundamental beliefs are based on Biblical doctrine.
According to the verses above, sound or healthy doctrine should be moral doctrine. It should lead to righteousness and not to lawlessness and immorality. Sound doctrine will not always be accepted. A true Christian wants to know the mind of the Lord but one who has never really been “born of God” will look for teachers that will agree with their preconceived notions and desires. They will believe fables or myths. Sound doctrine should be taught whether it is popular or not and it is not taught for monetary gain. Sound doctrine is extremely important and cannot be avoided it we are going to be faithful to the Lord.
Doctrines that we Need to Revisit
The doctrine of salvation needs to be clear. The issues of sin, judgment, and eternity must be preached. The new birth (deliverance for a new life) and salvation (deliverance from eternal destruction) need to be preached. That the Lord saves the lost seems to be missing from many Gospel sermons today. According to Paul, a Christian has a time past before we were saved, a time present when we can enjoy the present blessings of salvation and a time future that Paul calls the ages to come (Ephesians 2:1-10).
The doctrine of baptism needs to be clear. Yes, we should confess with our mouth when we trust Christ, but more importantly we should identify publicly with Lord in His death, burial and resurrection after we are saved. We do that by being immersed in water which is a picture of a watery grave. Then we come out of the water to picture our “resurrected life”.
Obviously, the issues of morality and loving God and loving our neighbor are all doctrines that need to be taught in a right way. Separation from the world (holiness) and the headship of Christ are doctrines that need to be taught. The promise of the imminent (not necessarily immediate) return of the Lord should be a constant part of our wholesome teaching.
Is Sound Doctrine Important?
Paul thought it was. I think it is. The issues I have mentioned above, are issues that I try to be clear on as a teacher. I don’t want to meet the Lord and find out that I got an F grade for my teaching and that I led others astray.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of February 2, 2020