“Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee” (I Tim. 4:16).
There are many “professed” Christians today that argue that it is the doctrinal differences various people and/or groups hold to that cause divisions in the Church. Therefore, they say, Christians should be more open and accept all others who claim to be Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of what they believe about the Bible, Jesus Christ, and salvation.
Of course, this kind of teaching, or “doctrine,” sounds good to many, especially church leaders, as taking this road will help attract more people to their congregations. It also sounds good to those who have itching ears and only want to hear positive things. This thinking is really quite popular in todays culturally and politically correct “Christianity.” But, we must ask, does the Bible teach such a thing? The answer is, NO it does not!
Bible doctrine, which simply refers to what the Bible teaches, is all important to true Biblical Christianity. In fact, to become a Biblical Christian a person must believe what the Bible teaches about Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to be true. Then, knowing that they are a condemned sinner, they must, by faith, trust in Jesus Christ to save them from the everlasting condemnation they deserve and to impart the gift of eternal life to them. This doctrine is non-negotiable. It is not open to reinterpretation according to what each person decides is “true for them.” It is not a “relative truth,” but it is “the truth.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not popular with “the world,” that is, it is not popular with the majority of the people who live on planet Earth. It is not now and it never has been. When preached, it convicts people of their sin and calls them to turn from the spiritual darkness they are in to “the Light of th glorious gospel of Christ” (II Cor. 4:4).
Does sound Bible doctrine divide? Yes, it does. But, the division is not the fault of doctrine, it is how people respond to the truth taught that brings division. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (see I Cor. 1:18-25). Those who reject the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ remain part of the Christ rejecting world system while those who believe in Christ as their Savior become members of “the Church which is His body” (Eph. 1:22-23). And, having “redemption through His (Christ’s) blood” God the Father “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (see Col. 1:12-14). Yes, true believers are separated from the world and are to live their lives accordingly. It is through sound Bible doctrine that we are saved and then established in the faith that we might walk pleasing to the Lord. Serious Biblical Christians love learning what the Bible teaches and are willing to stand for the truth. It is carnally minded Christians and false brethren that want to water down Biblical truth and replace it with false doctrines that appeal to the flesh. Paul’s charge to Timothy is as relevant to the Church today as the day the Apostle penned these words: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they help up to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned to fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry” (II Tim. 4:1-5; also see chap. 3:16-17).
Are you going along with those who are watering down the truth and mocking sound Bible doctrine? Or are you one of the faithful remnant that is willing to stand for and proclaim the truth to a lost world that is becoming increasingly hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If you are one who stands for the truth, there will be a cost in temporal things, but the eternal rewards will be great.
