In college I knew his guy who would be quick to tag me as “closed minded”. He felt that I dismissed things as false too often, and was not “open minded” enough for a Christian. Well, we know how I feel about that, but this is a different post, albeit related. One time he scoffed at me saying, “you live by doctrine and I live by the Spirit.” First of all, what does that even mean, and second and most importantly, is living by doctrine bad?

I went to my dad, feeling very offended by those words, and he explained to me how misguided that comment was. Doctrine is simply teaching. When Jesus says, “love your enemies”, that is doctrine. If he lives by those words, than he too is living by doctrine.

I believe that the difference of opinion and approach comes from different views of Scripture (obviously I believe mine to be right or I wouldn’t hold this view with any sort of justification–see my last post). I was raised in a very conservative Christian household (please don’t confuse this with legalism, it’s very different). My parents, my church, and my private school stressed the teaching of Scripture. When I was young I was memorizing Scripture, hymns, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Why? Because knowing what was in the Scripture and knowing how to articulate the truths found in Scripture is the best way for someone to know, accept, and live a godly life. God has given has all we need to know about Him, ourselves, and what He requires in Scripture. My parents often said to me, echoing the author Francis Shaffer, “right doctrine teaches right living“.

I can’t speak for this young man, but my assumption is that “living by the Spirit” really means “living by emotion”. I think it’s way too common nowadays to find a church or a teaching that makes you feel good. It’s so easy to approach Scripture like a buffet. Take what you want, leave behind what is less than desirable. People find it easy to justify, too. “But a loving God wouldn’t really say that…”; “A different translation says it differently..” So then tell me, are you following the Jesus of the BIBLE, or are you following the Jesus of your dreams? We have to accept the Bible in its entirety to truly understand God and how we should live.

In church our pastor is working through 2 Timothy. 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul, during his first imprisonment in Rome, to the young pastor Timothy. He was giving Timothy direction and instruction for the church and the requirements God had for the elders and deacons of His church. 2 Timothy was written during Paul’s second imprisonment while he was awaiting his execute. Even with his imminent death, Paul was concerned for the young pastor and wrote him letters of encouragement and orders for carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:13 & 14 says, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

Notice that Paul is exhorting Timothy to not only obey sound words, but to obey the “pattern of sound words”. My pastor stressed that this is very specific. No only are we to follow the doctrine, or the words, but the pattern of them. That is why memorizing Scripture passages is so imporant (and understanding many and in a larger context so as not to misinterpret them).

 Paul also is exhorting Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you”. As Christians, we all hold this responsibility. Are we learning and following the pattern of sound words and also guarding them against false doctrine, and even our own emotions?

Why are we so eager to turn from the pattern of sound doctrine? Are we embarrassed by the Gospel? Do we not believe it ourselves? Do we think we can portray it better? Later in the epistle, Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (3:16-17). What little faith we have! God has inspired these words for a reason! We have to trust that He will use them to call others just as He as called us.

Next time we notice we are quick to disregrard “old” doctrine, or mock “close minded” teachings, remember that is was in Paul’s last letter, his dying wish, that he ordered Christ’s church to follow and guard the pattern of sound words in Scripture. It is only by understand and living by these words that a child of God may be “competent, equipped for every good work.”