Doctrine Divides

  The phrase in the above title is a common one in US Christian circles. Oftentimes it is used to prevent meaningful discussion for fear of division. Yet the truth is that our personal "theology" strongly influences how we live. For example, there is a vast difference between an understanding of grace as the God given power to live a life of obedience to Christ or as a rationale for doing what we personally desire to do.
   In 1 Timothy 3:14-15 Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes, "I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." (ESV)
    Jesus says that the words that He speaks are "spirit and life." (John 6:63b ESV) The writers of the epistles are very concerned with false teaching. In some of the strongest language of the entire New Testament, Paul writes, " "But even if an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8-9 ESV) What we believe does matter. We short-circuit this when we throw the word "legalism" or the phrase "religious spirit" around. Most of the time these simply deflect our need to obey God.
     "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." (Romans 6:17)
     "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience-by word and deed." (Romans 15:18)
    The author of Hebrews speaks of the "author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him." (Heb. 5:9)
What we do or do not do is of great significance. And what we do is ultimately based on what we believe. So does doctrine divide? Yes, into two kingdoms.