| Thoughts on Titus 2:1 |
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"But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine."
Sound doctrine. Every Christian believes they're following sound doctrine. But how do we know what doctrines are really sound? How do we know who's right and who's wrong?
I've heard many people express to me their belief that you can never have 100% sound doctrine, that we should only worry about the key elements of the Christian creeds, and trust that God would not allow any bad doctrine into the real church. But where does the Bible say this? Theoretically, I understand that sin keeps us from being 100% perfect with anything. But the same Bible talks about the devil as a deceiver, and warns in 2 Timothy 4:3 that people won't always tolerate sound doctrine. It speaks over half a dozen times about the harmful consequences of people following their own desires. So should we expect no corruption within God's church? Then how do we explain denominations? Catholicism? Liberalism? Do we just wave those people off as not belonging to God? Certainly not!
I've only scratched the surface here, but that just doesn't seem to work as an answer.
What about from leaders? Pastors? They're the ones who go to school for this stuff. Right? They should know better than anyone! So did the Pharisees and Sadducees! Even in Jeremiah's day, it was the leaders who said "everything's going to be okay!" But they weren't really the ones hearing from God. Pastors are not exempt from God's tests - if anything they're held to a higher standard. (James 3:1) And why are more laity taking classes, too? I have even been told by God I might need to take classes. While sometimes they can hurt as much as help, it's usually more because people are unprepared for what they might learn.
As Todd Agnew's song, "Don't Say A Word" reminds me, we can't assume everything a preacher says is God's. Otherwise, Paul would have never honored the Bereans for their dilligence in testing sound doctrine - against someone as great as Paul himself! (Acts 17:10-15)
So if we don't get it from the church as a whole, or from church leaders, where does it come from? It should be plain and simple to most people. God the Spirit. And I think opponents would agree with me there. I don't think they're blind to that. However, in my experience, they expect God to correct them if they are believing something wrong. Really? In Acts 17, who was it that was testing Paul's teaching? God, or the Bereans themselves? My Bible says God gives people over to their natural/evil desires. It also says that this is better for people, it helps them realize easier where they're wrong (makes them solely responsible).
Looking through my NT notes, it's no surprise for this verse I was reminded of the need for more apologetics as an integral, not optional, part of faith. Faith may be by grace alone, and we may be fine to live in that grace, but the fruit of faith is dilligence, perseverance, good works, growth and learning. I can't even claim to have everything right, but I've sure spent much time trying hard to make sure I have things right. And God has rewarded me time and time again with a stronger faith - because the enemy's "fiery arrows" of doubt and pain are ineffective. When someoe KNOWS who God is and how he thinks, they have very little reason to question Him.
Sound doctrine, dare I say, is equally as important as evangelism, care for others, etc. Each part of the body has to work together. Why do people who say "Yes, Lord" to most spiritual gifts, seem to shy from any responsibility to sound doctrine? (the gifts of prophecy/teaching) |
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