|
 A
right standing with God involves both disposition and doctrine.
Even though some would emphasize one to the neglect of the
other, both are absolutely vital to acceptable service. As
Joshua says in his farewell address, "Now therefore fear
the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and IN truth..."
(Josh. 24:14). Here, sincerity connotes right disposition and
truth is right doctrine. Man must provide the one; God the
other. Only the Lord has the authority to tell men what they
must believe and do to be right (saved). This He does for us in
the gospel (or, as it is termed in 2 Jn. 9, the "doctrine
of Christ"). This "word of the truth of the
gospel" (Col. 1:5) is the exclusive pattern for
God-approved religion. In fact, fellowship with the Father and
Son is possible on no other basis (2 Jn. 9).
For
this reason none can be too careful about establishing just what
is and is not right doctrine — and it is here that we see the
great need for right disposition. As someone has wisely noted,
"Life is governed by esteemed values". It is
one thing to say the gospel is precious and powerful; it is
quite another thing as to whether one esteems it so. The man,
for instance, who is as readily disposed to receive the
doctrines of men as those of Christ, simply does not love the
truth (2Thss. 2:10). And the same is true of those who say it
makes no difference what one believes in religion. To such a
disposition, doctrine is of little importance. On the other
hand, the honest and good heart values truth above all else. It
hungers and thirsts for that righteousness which is according to
truth.
Its
continual ambition is to know, to do,
| |
and to be right! — and
to encourage a similar disposition in others. Such an
attitude ideally complements the doctrine of Christ.
Further,
because the good heart wants to know what is right, it is also a
discerning heart. Recognizing God's precepts concerning all
things to be right (Ps. 119:128), it measures all things
thereby. By thusly "proving all things", the good
heart can identify and hold fast to that which is good (1Thss.
5:21). Obviously, that which is not truth is not good and must
so be regarded and discarded by the faithful. To hold fast that
which only seems right and good is but another expression
of a wrong disposition. One other thing in this connection —
the honest heart never seeks to "prove" anything for
the purpose of merely justifying self or condemning others.
That
means that right disposition is important in teaching doctrine
too. He who teaches truth with a spiteful and belligerent spirit
is likely to hinder its reception. It does little good to speak
the truth if the truth does not influence our speaking. When it
does we will be speaking the truth in love, Eph. 4:15. Since
love is kind and longsuffering (1 Cor. 13), such should be
evidenced in our teaching. Too, Paul tells Timothy to
"reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering..."
(2 Tim. 4:2). In teaching the lost we must learn to suffer long
with their pride, prejudice and ignorance, as did our Saviour
— and as others have with us. May we handle truth with good
hearts! Dan Shipley
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
