Undoubtedly the Bible teaches the importance of being “doctrinally correct,” for 2 John 9 says: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” By that I mean it’s critical for us as God’s people to follow the scriptural plan of salvation and the New Testament (NT) pattern for the worship, work, and organization of the church. Denominationalism perverts and/or ignores these important “doctrinal” issues. Over the years brethren have vehemently, and militantly opposed the doctrinal innovations, perversions, and apostasies of the denominational world. It is good and right that we’ve done so, for we must (Jude 3). However, we must never forget there’s more to being a faithful Christian than “doctrinal orthodoxy” on these matters.
1) You’re Getting Soft, You’re Compromising. Some may cringe at the last statement and accuse me of getting soft or compromising the truth. That’s not the case at all. In those areas mentioned we must be doctrinally correct.” But, if that is all we are, we fall far short of practicing pure New Testament Christianity. Unequivocally we can only practice pure New Testament Christianity when we’ve restored things like the scriptural plan of salvation and follow the New Testament pattern for the worship, work, and organization of the church. But, we must also just as certainly restore all of the aspects of Christian character and living. Otherwise, our claim to having restored the New Testament church is merely a hollow, pharisaical boast!
2) Whole Counsel of God. Paul legitimately laid claim he was “innocent of the blood of all men,” because he had “not shunned to declare… the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27). Do you suppose Paul’s preaching and teaching stopped at the plan of salvation and the worship, work, and organization of the church? No! For example, he taught the need for individual Christians to reject conformity with the world and be totally transformed by God’s word (Rom. 12:1-2)! He taught the need for individual Christians to reject every form and facet of fleshly, worldly behavior and become a new man (Col. 3:5-14)! He taught the necessity of practicing benevolence on an individual basis (Gal. 6:10; cf. Jas. 1:27). The Lord Himself summed up what Paul surely taught in Matthew 22:37-40. True religion is not found in devotion to a doctrinal “system” or by satisfying oneself by being “doctrinally correct” on a few, albeit critical, points. True religion can only be found when one totally submits to all of God’s will in humble, contrite obedience and glorifies God by imitating Jesus’ virtuous life and treating one’s fellow man with compassion and true concern. All else falls short!
3) Balance. Being a faithful Christian is like most things in the sense that truth is usually not found at the extremes, but at some balance point in the middle. To stress compassion and concern and ignore doctrine” is not acceptable (2 John 9-11). To stress “doctrinal correctness” without perfecting our individual walk with Christ (e.g., Phil. 1:27) is not acceptable. To stress “doctrinal correctness” and our individual walk with Christ while ignoring our responsibilities to our fellow man is not acceptable either (Matt. 25:31-46; James 1:27). Denominationalists and some brethren are guilty of following these extremes. Let us be determined to truly restore New Testament Christianity in our lives by living it all! Remember, we must live by both James 4:17 and 2 John 9. In the process we’ll grow, the church will grow, and we’ll make it to heaven.
-Words of Life, Sept. 17, 2023
Craig Thomas is one of the preachers we help to support. He preaches for the Westside
church of Christ in Bloomington, IN.