Biblical Doctrine Is Important (154E)

James R. Davis

A preacher visited with an elderly man, who had attended many different religious affiliations throughout his life. He had even attended a Bible college. During the conversation the man said, "I am so confused. I have studied all these different religious doctrines, and I am not sure what I believe anymore?" Although it was a declarative statement, you could tell by the furrowed brow and the set of the eyes that it was really a very serious and troubling question. It wasn't the first time that the preacher had heard the question, and it won't be the last time the question will be ask of him.

If you know nothing about the Bible, this man's probing response alone tells us that what we teach about God is important. If what we teach becomes so confusing that a person throws up their hands and says, "I don't think it really matters what we believe about God." does this not tell us that what we teach is important? This type of questioning is an echo that has been heard through every century and continues to resonate in our minds and hearts today. The echo is a question: "Is doctrine important?"

Is What the Bible Teaches Important?

According to Webster's definition doctrine is what we teach. Webster defines the word doctrine: "Teaching, instruction, something that is taught, a principle or position of the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief." We could ask: "Is what we are teaching important?" I think that in light of a study of God, we could rephrase the question and ask: "Is what the Bible teaches about God important?" If what the Bible teaches is not important, then why did God give it to us in the first place? Sometimes the best thing to do is let the Bible speak for itself, for no one can say it more powerful than God can anyway.

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 4:1-4
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 heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

II John 1:9-11
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Preparation of the Heart Essential.

Knowing God is not like knowing mathematics tables or scientific formulas. It is a learning of the heart. Ezra was seeking to bring Israel back to worship God as the temple was being rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity. The Bible says, "Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and do it and to teach in Israel's statues and judgment." (Ezra 7:10) The teaching of God is a teaching of the heart and mind that results in a regeneration of the soul. This regeneration causes a person to respond with a desire to do that, which is taught. If we fail to respond we haven't learned.

The practical side of doctrine or teaching is that we begin to live different. In light of this,  the question: "Is doctrine important?" could be rephrase to ask: "Is how we live important?" Again let the Bible speak.

Ephesians 4:14-24
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 Timothy 1:3-11
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-- which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. [Emphasis mine] They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-- and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Sometimes we hear someone declare, "You can make the Bible say anything you want it to say!" We don't like to admit it, but this statement is true! You can make it say anything you want it to say. Herein lies the danger. We can only receive from the Bible what our hearts are prepared to receive. If we lack preparation of the heart, then we may only find what we are looking for, rather than the truth.

II Thessalonians 2:8-17
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Sometimes we don't understand unanswered prayers. Yet, it is a little scary to think, sometimes God gives us what we want. A demoniac came to Jesus as he arrived in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." (Matthew 8:28-32) Marks account says, "And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." (Mark 5:9-13) He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

 I have a very strong feeling that these demons ended up where they didn't want to go, because they got exactly what they ask for.  Jesus gave them exactly what they wanted. If our hearts are evil God may give us exactly what we are looking for.

It is very clear that the preparation of one's heart totally determines what the Bible says for each of us. One doesn't have to blatantly determine that he/she isn't concerned for truth. It is usually never that blatant. We just begin seeking from the desires of our heart and we fashion the truth into what we want it to be. If it is justification for living an ungodly life we will find it. We have heard the saying; "Our world is what we make it." In life we always get what we are looking for, even if we are not looking for the right thing. So it is with the Bible.

This reveals a very important principle in formulating our doctrines. Too many times doctrines are formulated out of how we desire to live. The Hebrew writer says, "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways . . . Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Hebrews 3:10, 12)

Seeking God with Veiled Hearts

We can place a veil over our hearts, which prevents us from seeing God's truth. Paul said, "We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:13-17)

When doctrines are formulated, there is a danger of formulating very important principles of truth in such a way that we place a veil over our hearts concerning other equally important truths. And we end up only doing what is right in our own eyes. The writer of Judges says, "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25) When Jesus Christ came, those who had formulated doctrines out of their own proud hearts rejected him. They were blinded them to who he was.

In attitude we can embrace a few principles, which are true, we make these principles all important, we can set those principles directly in front of the mind's eye, and place blinders upon ourselves, so that we can't see anything else . . . not even Jesus . . . that is exactly how the Jews placed a veil upon their hearts. This is how we become religious and ungodly at the same time.

Today one group focuses on what it can do. Another group focuses on what it can't do. Both are equally proud of what they can or can't do. What each can or can't do becomes that which defines each. Each is afraid that they will become enslaved to the other. Each group thought it had the solution to the problem. One group uses a syllogism to arrive at truth, the other uses the heart. Somewhere in between both lose sight of the Bible. Each group believes that its solution is the only hope the cause of Christ has. Each goes its separate way. Each groups finds a preacher that is willing to reinforce their sentiments and beliefs in all that he teaches. The few books we buy are those that reinforce the few principles that we hold to be sacred. After all a good preacher and a good book is one that agrees with everything I already believe.

Even when we evaluate other churches, they are evaluated by the two or three points of doctrine we hold to be sacred. It matters little to us the struggles they are having to stay afloat in the midst of the confusion. We begin to think that God has the same criteria for judging churches and people. Then we begin to thank God that we are not like other churches. We become self-righteous. In this process we lose touch with the realities of our own hearts and the hearts of those we fellowship. Eventually each movement crystallizes and crumbles. Everyone is left dumbfounded asking, "What happened?" The following verses tell us what happened. "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Hebrews 13:9)

Both groups are equally guilty. Paul said, "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) The spirit of the Lord was not prevalent because each became enslaved to what each wanted regardless how right it was. When each group disregards the feelings of the other, it is a sure sign that the spirit of the Lord is absent. They are certainly not free, because the spirit of the Lord does not reign.

A revival among God's people should begin with each of us praying that God might reveal to each person the depravity of his or her own heart. You need to be warned before you pray this prayer. God may give you exactly what you ask for. It may not be the most pleasant experience you ever had. Yet, this may be what we need to open our eyes and hearts to the whole truth. Hopefully, the experience will break us and humble us to be receptive to the whole truth. Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

That revival must begin with common folk like you and me. Religious hierarchies aren't good places to begin rivals. That is why Jesus began his revival with the common man. He simply began with those who understood their needs. After all that is all anyone can do. You can't force feed people. Of course this just left the groups opposed to him screaming louder and louder to get their views across, because the thought of that kind of revival scared them. They were afraid of where that kind of search for truth would lead them. Yet, he came to reveal the truth that would lead each of them to God. It is amazing that the very thing we need, to revive our spirits, is the very thing that each of us is very much afraid to do. Yet, it would be the most exciting, thrilling, exhilarating journey we have ever taken. A journey of the heart into the kingdom of God's glorious presence's.

How to Unveil Hearts

The world of scientific discovery is fascinating. Yet to be a true scientist, you must not reach premature conclusions. You must remain open minded, if you wish to continue with your discovery. This doesn't mean that a few basic principles will not always remain the same. Yet these unchanging principles are the ones that cause you to probe deeper into your study. In the scientific field, when a field of discovery is completed, the scientist formulates a hypothesis. A hypothesis is not as final as a conclusion, it is like a pre-drawn conclusion that directs the scientist in the direction that she thinks she needs to go. But the scientist understands that the conclusion is pre-drawn prematurely and remains open to change her direction if necessary. A hypothesis leaves the mind open for further discovery. It is not like the conclusion of an agnostic, who has determined that you can't know truth. It is simply a position that leaves the mind open, for further future discovery if necessary. This is always an excellent idea even in our search for God, because this approach keeps the heart open.

We must rely on the help of God to unveil our hearts. Solomon said, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1) When we lived in California's San Joaquin Valley, the farmers watered their crops from the reservoirs in the mountains. The valley is 400 miles long and 200 miles wide at its widest point. An intricate canal system had been built that guides the water through the valley. I visited a rancher who had orange groves. He told me when he wanted to water his groves, he would call up and place an order for the water a few days before he needed it. Water management would release the needed amount of water and direct it to his ranch through a series of canals and floodgates. This is how God is capable of directing our hearts.

Jesus tells us how to unveil our hearts. You must be willing to allow God to direct your heart. "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:16-17) It is interesting to note that Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know . . . before God guides you into all truth you must willing to do his will. The emphasis is on doing, not knowing. The Hebrew writer says, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)

Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

We must make room for his word. When we come to God seeking the whole truth, for the purpose of obeying, he is more than glad to lead us to it.

John 8:31-37
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

I had a professor in college who related an experience he had in a personal Bible study with an 80-year-old woman. The lady had taught children's Bible class for years. As he was studying with her, she saw a truth in scripture that she had never realized before. She told the professor "I never realized that truth before, I have taught Bible school for years and I have always prayed that God would help me know the truth." She wondered why she hadn't seen that truth before. The kindly professor simply said, "God has just answered your prayer." She immediately became obedient to that point of truth.

God is able to lay the heart bare so that you can perceive the truth. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Prayer is essential to removing the veil.

Psalms 51:10-13
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

There is one thing that God esteems above all he has created. Isaiah wrote, "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2)

Sin will do one of two things for each of us. It will cause us to be so bitter that we will close our eyes and ears to everything that is true and leave us in total confusion. Or the hardness of sin will shatter our hardened hearts and render us broken that we might tremble at God's word and listen to what God has to say.

There seriously needs to be a revival among the Lord's church. It must be a revival of the heart and only God can accomplish this, but we must be willing to do what he says. In order for this to happen, we must realize that we are broken people in deep need of the whole counsel of God's Word.

Conclusion:

We must remember that there " . . . are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Romans 6:17-18
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Rom 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (KJV)

Eph 6:6-8
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.