Doctrine and Life
“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and , having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” -Romans 6:17 (ESV)
I sometimes face days when I come to the end of my schedule and ask myself, “Did I really spend today doing the things that were most important?” Call it the tyranny of the urgent, but I sometimes find myself spending a little too much time focusing on administration and not enough on consecration. A Pastor’s study time is often robbed by the pressing needs of the moment, the tasks that must be completed yesterday. There are often times, like today, when I push back the tasks I could be doing in favor of the great task I should be doing - prayerfully studying God’s Word.
It is the teaching of God’s truth (or “doctrine” as we used to call it) that will transform lives forever. Paul reminded the Roman believers that it was when they obeyed the doctrine taught them that they were freed from slavery and became slaves of righteousness instead. As I dwelt upon this verse, I read a message by a preacher of the past, Sterling Price. In his message, Dr. Price eloquently put my thoughts into words…
I do not think the world cares much about our creeds or our doctrines; but when by grace we translate doctrines into deeds and creeds into character thus showing forth what Christ can be and do in human lives, then the world is convicted and attracted. The world cares little about our preaching of the doctrines and principles of the Kingdom of God; but develop these living seeds, let men see the flowers and the fruit, let them become acquainted with their fragrance and lusciousness, and there is little doubt but that they will seek personal possession of the seed from which these have been produced.
Christianity is addicted to “relavent, life-oriented” teaching today. But the apostles seemed to opt for “all the counsel of God” in the content of their teacing. Then they sought to translate Bible doctrine into the everyday language of changed lives. So study all of the truth God has revealed, then seek to apply it by living out the spirit of that truth. The world may not come running, but people will no longer be able to point to shallow, selfish Christian living as an excuse to reject the Lord Jesus. It is truth that transforms!
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