SEPTEMBER: Why Doctrine Matters

 
     In 2014, Ligonier Ministries partnered with Lifeway Research to conduct a survey among 3000 Christians in America to point out common gaps in theological knowledge.  The results revealed there is much confusion today regarding essential doctrines in Christianity.  The results showed that 40% of those surveyed did not believe Jesus is fully God and fully man, 37% did not believe that God is perfect and cannot sin, and 29% did not believe there is one true God in three persons.

      This Fall, we are doing a series with our students called "We Believe."  Research has shown that many students leave the faith once they graduate high school because they had a shallow faith.  They were never challenged or pushed to study the Bible and to go deeper.  Instead of encouraging students to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus, many youth ministries simply focus on what has been labeled as Moral Therepeutic Deism.  This is simply a focus on being a good person and avoiding bad behavior.  Essentially it is a focus on behavior modification without addressing the greater issue of needing a heart modification that only comes through a relationship with Christ.   Christianity is not about being a good person but about being a reborn person!  As Christians, spiritual maturity is dependent on growing in the truth of who God is and what He is like.  What we believe matters!

• Doctrine matters because our faith is based on a specific message that is revealed in Scripture and in the teachings of Jesus.  This message is not made up by humans, rather God has revealed it to us.  We do not get to add to it, subtract from it, or change it to suit our liking.  This is why the church in Acts 2 gathered daily and devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles.  In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul said, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."  

• Doctrine matters because the Gospel is something that should be guarded and protected.  Jude 1:3 encourages us to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."  Paul encourages Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:14 to "guard the good deposit entrusted to you."  I am reminded of the great care that was given to guarding the ring in the epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.  The Gospel and doctrine is something we should carefully protect.  

• Doctrine matters because what we believe affects what we do and how we live our lives.  Paul lists some sins in 1 Timothy chapter 1 that he says are contrary to sound doctrine. Paul encourages believers in Romans 12:1 to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Where we find our identity and significance will impact the course of our life.

• Doctrine matters because we are commanded to beware of false teachers throughout the letters in the New Testament.  1 John 4:1 encourages believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God for many false prophets have gone out into the world."  

• Doctrine matters because sound doctrine leads to life while unsound doctrine leads to destruction.  Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."   Some type of belief alone is not what matters, but it is placing your belief and trust in God the Father and Jesus Christ as he has revealed himself to us in the Bible.  

     Doctrine is not a dirty word or something that belongs only in Bible Schools and Seminaries.  As we can see from scripture, doctrine is something we must all take very seriously.  The Bible is truth, and not just any truth, but it is God's truth.  As we begin to gain a greater understanding of who God is, it should hopefully drive us to pursue him more and to worship him.  When David began to think about and meditate upon the God who is all knowing and ever present in Psalm 139, his reaction was one of awe, wonder, and worship.  The purpose of growing in knowledge of God is not so we can be puffed up and conceited, but so we can have a deeper relationship with our Creator and Redeemer!