Feb 27th | Sound doctrine
In the second chapter of Titus we find a lesson that we should never fail to remember, a lesson around which or upon which everything we do as Christians should pivot or rest. Paul, having exhorted Titus (did I say Timothy about a hundred times today?!)…having exhorted Titus to appoint elders to train the 3-week old church on the Mediterranean island of Crete, he goes on with further instructions for Titus. Referring to the elders he will soon appoint, he says, in 2:1, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”
Most notable here is the distinction Paul makes between what is taught and what is sound doctrine. They are clearly to be in concert, but they are also clearly distinct. There is what needs to be taught, and there is sound doctrine. This distinction is crucial. Without it we are destined to slip where too many theologians, pastors, churches, and denominations have fallen. That is, to mistake the teachings for the doctrine.
When we make the “do’s” and “dont’s” of religion or even of scripture the main thing, we actually loose sight of the monumentally important “sound doctrine.” But this is what too often happens when we become dogmatic about what we know to be right and wrong – we hold our rules, codes and morals up as the end-all-be-all. And when we do that we miss what is referred to in 2:10, “…the teaching about God our Savior…”.
God our savior that IS the sound doctrine. And Paul states it in 2:11-12,
“11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…”
The grace of God that appeared and teaches us Godliness is Jesus. Check John 1:14. Jesus is the sound doctrine.
All that we teach, all that we instruct, all that we do to make disciples must be in accord with Jesus. Always and without hesitation we must know and confess that without Jesus, any hope of Godliness…any hope of Christlikeness is impossible. Apart from the saving and indwelling grace of God, Jesus, we cannot get there. Listen to Paul to the Corinthians…
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
All instruction, all scripture, all of Jesus’ teachings, admonitions, and example are quite impossible for us to become, apart from Jesus himself. When we choose to trust Jesus…put our faith and hope in his atoning (God relationship repairing) work on the Cross…when we acknowledge Him as savior…then and only then do we enjoy the capacity, impulse and guidance for Godliness.
Trust Jesus, and grow in Godliness – in Christlikeness. Any other approach to improvement of the human condition is a waste of time. Only that which comes from a true knowledge of God…a life immersed in Christ has any eternal substance and value. The sound doctrine is that Jesus changes you so that you can change!
Who was your favorite elementary, middle or high school or college teacher and/or professor? Why?
In your church experience, what sorts of things…behaviors… codes…rules…have been elevated to near supreme status? (if you don’t have any church experience, what has been your understanding of things you must do to be a good Christian?)
What sorts of feelings, thoughts, questions, etc, emerge or come to mind when you consider that only in Jesus do we gain the capacity, impulse and guidance to be Godly?
How can you afford Jesus greater latitude in your life to teach you to say “No” to ungodliness and “yes” to Godliness?
