"Someone has said that the most important thing about us is what we believe about God. Beliefs are at the root of everything we do..” Those beliefs may be exclaimed, illogical, and blindly tied to our desires, but they are constantly fuelling and shaping what we do. This is why the highest priority must be given to what we believe and why. Nothing can shape human character more than minds and hearts determined to think right about ourselves, our God, our lives, and our relationships
"Someone has said that the most important thing about us is what we believe about God. Beliefs are at the root of everything we do..” Those beliefs may be exclaimed, illogical, and blindly tied to our desires, but they are constantly fuelling and shaping what we do. This is why the highest priority must be given to what we believe and why. Nothing can shape human character more than minds and hearts determined to think right about ourselves, our God, our lives, and our relationships
What We Believe...
The First.. |
The Case for DoctrineDoctrine can be defined as “principles believed and taught.” By definition, we can’t have Christ without embracing the doctrine of Christ. We need doctrine to answer questions like: Who is God? What is he like? Does He answer to other names such as Muhammad and Buddha? Does He care what we believe about Him? Would He send anyone to hell for having a wrong opinion? Once knowing Him, how are we to live?
Yet, the case against doctrine is growing, and an increasing number of people are coming to the conclusion that doctrine is the enemy of the Cchurch. Doctrine is what distinguishes and breaks followers of Christ into thousands of denominations and subgroups. And with the overflow of contradicting views, doctrine is dividing us. It destroys unity and separates family members. It makes it difficult for those who follow Christ to set aside differences and stand together in common purposes of evangelism, discipleship, and social concern. |
Love and Doctrine TogetherApostle Paul knew that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Cor. 8:1). He knew that all of the knowledge in the world minus love equals nothing. He wrote, “Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all my mysteries and all knowledge…. But have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). Having knowledge without love is like a head without a body. We can’t think rightly unless our thoughts are motivated by the love of God. However, too often, those who know their doctrine are marked more by self-contentedness and arrogance than by approachability and love. Thus, let us remember that right doctrine cannot exist without love.
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