05/11/2022
We live in a time when the term “doctrine” is avoided, and even despised and ridiculed by many groups. Where a church covenant and doctrinal statements were once prominently displayed in many sanctuaries they are now hidden from easy viewing, if the church even has them. People think they don’t need those, they just go on “faith” and “the Holy Spirit”
Problem is the modern church view of faith is very different from the faith that Paul writes about. People see faith as a force or superpower they can use to accomplish whatever they desire. Faith, to many, is based on their experience and feelings, so it is different for everyone, or so goes the modern way of thinking.
Hold the bus!!! In 1 Tim 4:1 Paul states that in latter times people will depart from “the faith”. Not faith, but “the faith”. Lots of people out there claiming they have faith but having no idea of what that faith is about, and no concept that faith isn’t based on their experience or feelings, but upon the very word of God.
1 Tim 4:6 Paul say Timoth has been trained in the words of faith and of good doctrine. This is what qualifies him to preach the word, not his experiences or feelings.
Don’t fall into the trap of eschewing doctrine. Don’t go on feeling, go on fact. Know what you believe and why you believe it, then when people come at you with things that sound like they might be true because there is a kernel of truth amidst the falsehood you will be able to discern what is the truth and what is a lie. Remember, when Jesus was confronted he refuted his challengers with the Word - sound doctrine.
