Many people ask, “What does it mean to live by a “doctrine”? The basic idea of doctrine is “the teachings of” or “one who teaches”. So, if we live by the doctrine of Jesus Christ, it means that we live by the teachings of Jesus. If we live by the doctrine of devils, we live by the teachings of the devil. John the apostle has been concerned with the teachings that have permeated “the elect lady and her children”. Whenever the truth is presented, there will usually be falsehood presented as well. John has written the book of Second John to dispel these doctrines, and he addresses them even more clearly in today's verse found in Second John and verse nine. He wrote:
Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
John pulls no punches when he shares in this verse. He opens the forum to anyone, “Whosoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of Christ”. A transgression is a willful, deliberate, and purposeful act to go against what is known to be right. If someone, anyone, seeks to add to or takes away from the doctrine of Christ in a willful way, John says they do not have God. In other words, those who seek to alter the truth of the gospel which is that Jesus Christ came into the world to live as a man with the purpose of saving sinners by dying on the cross for their sins, they do not even have a relationship with God. God desires relationship and fellowship with every person, however those who promote any path other than the “doctrine of Christ” do not have a relationship or fellowship with God.
John goes on to give the opposite of the one who transgresses and doesn't abide in the doctrine of Christ. He says, “He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.” The difference is the teachings by which we live. If we live by the “doctrine of Christ”, we believe it, trust it, and know that there is no other way to have relationship and fellowship with God. When other ways to God are presented, we refute and reject them because there is no other way than the “doctrine of Christ” to have a relationship with the Father and the Son.
Today people promote all kinds of ways to get to God. Some say “one religion is as good as another”, and that “all roads lead to God.” In a sense, they are correct about all roads leading to God. The Bible does say that every person will give an account for their lives before God. However, this in no way means that a person has a relationship with God the Father or His Son Jesus. Look at Jesus' words as given in the gospel of Matthew in chapter seven and verses twenty-one thru twenty-three:
Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
These of whom Jesus speaks are those who transgress and do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. May we all take heed to Jesus' words and the words of John the apostle and never vary from the truth they present in love. These words are ample warning to everyone that the “doctrine of Christ” is the most important teaching anyone will ever live by both in this world and the world to come.
Next time we shall look at what we are not to do with anyone who brings any other doctrine than the doctrine of Christ, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment