OPEN HEAVEN FOR
TODAY : TAKE HEED TO DOCTRINE
MEMORISE: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue
in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear
thee". 1 Timothy 4:16
READ: 2 Timothy 4:2-5 (KJV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
MESSAGE:
These days, many Christians look for ways to water down certain
doctrines and prove that they are useless.
When the doctrine of their Bible-believing church dictates that they should not
dress in a certain way, for example, they go about looking for Hebrew and Greek
interpretations of Scriptures to say that the doctrine is useless– this is not
right.
Doctrines are a major part of your Christian walk. Although they
can sometimes appear to be tough to live by, they are codes of conduct that
will keep you consecrated. A doctrine may not seem interesting when you are
living by it, but if you keep doing so, over time, you will realize that it has
helped you to stay strong in the faith.
God is always solidly behind doctrines. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16
says that one of the reasons God gave us Scriptures is so that we can get
doctrines from them: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: You must note, however, that doctrines are gotten from the
Scriptures by the representative of God in the leadership of a denomination.
The head of another denomination may not develop a doctrine from
that same Scripture, but as long as the fellow whom you call your Father in the
Lord develops a doctrine from a Scripture, you have to live by it. The early
Church was strong with very fervent Christians because they continued
steadfastly in the doctrines of their leaders, the Apostles, as we see in Acts
2:42: And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Note that you are not to choose which doctrine to follow based
on convenience but based on your conviction that the one who brought the
doctrine developed it from the Scriptures. You should also be convinced that
the person is the spiritual leader that God wants you to submit to. Doctrines
raised from the Scriptures will set you apart from the world. They are a great
catalyst for your spiritual growth and well-being.
Key Point
Doctrines are not there to imprison you but to further
strengthen your consecration to God.
© 2024 Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons
was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world,
and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.