By Michael Light

The catchphrase of the day seems to revolve around unity. Many among our own people repeatedly say that we need unity in Jesus, that He is the center of religion and our lives, and that nothing else really matters. Indeed, Jesus is the central figure of the New Testament. However, when one begins to imply that we should preach “about” Jesus and not worry about the doctrine of Christ (His teachings), he has erred greatly.

It is impossible to separate Jesus (the man) from His teaching (the plan). In Acts 2:42, we read, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The first Christians were not only interested in Jesus, but this passage points out that they continued in the apostles’ doctrine. One cannot be faithful to God without striving to submit to the doctrine of the Bible.

All this rhetoric about not needing to be concerned over the way one was baptized, the way one worships, or the way one lives is a damning position. The Bible nowhere even begins to hint at the idea of “nonchalantness” in Christianity. It was and is imperative that the members study God’s divine word. It was and is imperative that we love God and Jesus and render obedience (1 John 5:3).

Many today hammer away at the concept of trying to focus on the things we have in common with denominationalists rather than those things wherein we differ. However, again, this is a misguided idea. We are not trying to emphasize anything that we teach but rather that which the Bible teaches. When one is out of harmony with God, it is that point of departure that will cost him or her their soul.

When Jesus walked the earth, He discussed religion with everyone He met. He did not skirt around the issues of the day. He did not avoid confrontation, nor did He focus on where the world of His day was right, but rather He dealt with the issues head-on. The confrontations were constant, and He repeatedly and intentionally brought up the topics over which He and the teachers of the day differed.

If we are Christians, those who follow the footprints of our Savior, then we will do the same thing. We cannot extend the right hand of fellowship to those who are out of fellowship with God. We should, like Christ, love everyone. We should strive earnestly with every fiber of our being to teach them the truth, but if we ever leave the impression that they are right and in a saved state when indeed they are lost, we are no longer faithful followers of Christ.

If we truly love the lost, we will tell them what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Doctrine does matter. Adherence or rejection of the doctrine is the way through which we can determine if someone (ourselves included) is faithful (1 John 4:1). In 2 John 1:9-11, we read, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: For he that biddeth him Godspeed is a partaker in his evil deeds.”

The doctrine of Christ is important. Who is any one of us to come along and dispense with that for which Christ died? The teaching of how one contacts the blood of Christ is just as important as the teachings about His life. We must endeavor to submit to the whole counsel of God.

[ This is an article from PLUMBLINE — Editor, Wayne Coats. Volume 3 Number 2, September 1998]