He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others. Proverbs 10:17 AMP
The Doctrines of the Gospel are godly:
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior. Titus 1:1-3 NKJV
The Gospel, the Words of Jesus, the Truth, is that which is after, or accords with, godliness. That means it belongs to godliness, it harmonizes with godliness, and it tends to godliness. The fruit of preaching true doctrine is godliness – in the preacher and the hearer. If your doctrine does not lead to godliness, you are not preaching the true Gospel. The true Gospel is giving, sharing and sacrifice. The Gospel condemns those who use the Gospel for their own gain, or to manipulate others.
Doctrine condemns immorality:
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 1 Timothy 1:8-11 NKJV
The Word of God condemns immorality. Some people think that walking in the grace of God allows us to do whatever we want, but that is simply not true. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-20 (NKJV), “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. He redeemed us from the curse of the law, and gave us a higher law – the law of love – to love God and your neighbor. If you love God, you will not do anything to dishonor Him. If you love your neighbor, you will not do anything to hurt him or her.
Doctrine leads to fellowship with the Father and with the Son:
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 NKJV
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. 2 John 9 NKJV
Doctrine leads to holiness:
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Romans 6:17-19 NKJV
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:12 NKJV
As God’s children and His representatives, we should bring no reproach on the doctrine of the Gospel:
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 1 Timothy 6:1 NKJV
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:1-5 NKJV
If we humbly submit to the doctrines of the Gospel in our own everyday life, God is glorified through us. However, if we personally disobey God’s word because we think we know better, we expose the Gospel to reproach – to be blasphemed and/or discredited. If you preach the Gospel to others, and yet by your life you show that you do not believe it yourself, then your witness has lost its power and credibility. If you call yourself a believer, then you should show honor to the doctrines of the Gospel, by truly submitting your life to the Word of God, and being a doer of His Word in every area of your life.
