THE NATURE OF DOCTRINE
The nature of doctrine:
In the New Testament, the Epistles of Paul frequently made references to the word doctrine. The word is also used in other books of the New testament. A careful read of how the word was used reveals the nature of doctrine.
Doctrine must be sound (1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:9). The word of God warns about the last days where some people will forsake sound doctrine and turn to the devil’s doctrine. They will be interested in hearing what pleases their ears and end up committing errors (Matthew 22:29). Sound doctrine will keep us away from errors and build us up spiritually (1 Timothy 4:6). If a doctrine is pure, it will produce purity in the lives of its followers (Job 11:4).
Another nature of doctrine is that, doctrine must be founded on scriptures. Children of God must speak out issues that become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1) based on the word of God. All that we speak out must be tested by the word of God first. Our confessions direct our lives and reap good or bad outcomes for us based on the basis on which they were spoken.
We must obey doctrine (John 7:16-17). A doctrine obeyed leads to intellectual and experiential knowledge- that is why Jesus advised us to ‘do’ His doctrine. Not obeying doctrine after hearing or reading it only leads to theoretical knowledge. The doctrine of the Pharisees was a religion of words void of deeds. They only ‘say’ but do not ‘do’ and Jesus warned us about the doctrine of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:12). Anybody who preaches the doctrine of the gospel and does not practice it becomes a modern day Pharisee. We must do the word in order to have its benefits.
Doctrine determines one’s character. What you believe in goes a long way to affect who you are and consequently affects what you do. Following sound and pure doctrine will produce the nature of Christ in us but following false doctrine will produce corruption in us. There is a doctrine according to godliness which Paul talks about in the bible (1 Timothy 6:1-3).
Doctrine determines destiny. Who you believe in and what you believe in ultimately affects your destiny. Our relationship with Christ affects our destiny. Light and life are in Christ- Christ brought life and immortality to light and He is the light of the world; which also makes us the light of the world. To achieve our future aspirations depend on the doctrine we are inclined to.
Fellowship is affected by doctrine. Fellowship takes place when believers are walking in the light (1 John 1:1-7). Fellowship is the result of walking in doctrine. Doctrine and fellowship must go hand-in-hand; one should not be sacrificed for the other.
The final point on the nature of doctrine is that, doctrine must go with love. God is love and all He does is based on it. Therefore it is our responsibility to adhere to doctrine in love. Indeed, love is the greatest doctrine in the bible and all that we do must be motivated by it(1 Corinthians 13).
