Thursday, September 27, 2007

Doctrine and Power

If someone teaches right doctrine does this automatically mean that they are saved?

I have been reading some blogs lately that may start to make someone wonder, that all we need to do, to accept someone in the faith, is to see that they teach right doctrine. Don't misunderstand me, good biblical doctrine (that starts with the doctrines of Grace) is critical in these last days, but just because someone can get the gospel right does not mean they are saved!

I pose the example of Judas, look at his life and ministry, according to the scriptures he preached the same gospel that Jesus preached, he had power to heal the sick and do other miracles, yet in the end he proved himself to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Mark 6:7-13). If we see someone who can preach a great gospel but their own lives do not have the power to live the gospel, then we have to say that they have never been delivered from the power of sin! Why should we make excuses for them? Why do we try to defend them just because they say the right things but they do not live the right things through the power of the Holy Spirit? True love would demand us to challenge someone to see if they be in the faith or not. (1 Cor. 13:6, 2 Cor. 13:5) I am not saying that we ultimately judge people to hell, only the Triune God can do this, but the word does call us to look out for those false confessor among us. (2 Peter 2:1)

The best place for Satan to hide one of his minions is in a bible believing, orthodox church that preaches sound doctrine. This has been the Devil's way of doing things since the beginning. (2 Cor. 11:13-15) In these last days we need to be more discerning then we have been previously, when we see people who say the right things but they do not live in the power of the gospel. I believe that this is the P in Tulip - Perseverance of the Saints, let us remember that this is two fold, - preservation (Eternally Secure) and perseverance (Power to live godly to the end). We must proclaim and live the Grace that the word of God teaches: (Titus 2:11-14 - 11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works). You cannot separate the doctrine of the gospel from the power of the gospel, they go hand in hand! May we become more balanced in our discerning, to see, not only that someone teaches the right gospel, but that they also are living a godly life in the power of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Bro. Pat

1 comment:

Randy Wilmot said...

Brother Pat,

I thought your comment at the end was especially good. "You cannot separate the doctrine of the gospelfrom the power of the gospel.

Press on brother,
Brother Randy