Sunday, August 21, 2011 am
COMFORT DOCTRINES (7)
“It Doesn’t Matter What We Believe”
Today, we continue our study of “comfort doctrines”.
A comfort doctrine is a
teaching which is designed to give comfort and remove the fear of
consequences to one who refuses to repent of some sinful activity.
We have examined how the gospel ought to be a source of TRUE
comfort which comes from obeying its precepts.
But there are many false “comfort doctrines” which are being
circulated today, in the religious world as a whole, and to some extent,
even among our brethren.
The first “comfort doctrine” is found in Genesis 3:4 when Satan
said, “You shall not surely die.” Many
prophets of old preached “peace and safety when there is none.”
In our study thus far we have
noted several such doctrines such as, “There is no hell”, “Once saved,
always saved”, “My works will secure my salvation”, “God will overlook
sins of ignorance and/or weakness” and “As long as you are sincere you
will be fine.”
Today we will examine another doctrine that is very popular
today: “It doesn’t matter what we believe.”
This is an answer used to justify the myriad of different
denominations around us and set aside our differences for the sake of
unity and simply “agree to disagree” on doctrinal matters.
In our lesson today we will examine this doctrine and also notice
what is unscriptural about it.
I.
The Doctrine Explained
a.
Stated and defined –
i.
The doctrine we want to
examine today addresses how many denominations and world religions are
shying away from exclusivity and embracing the concept that as long as
we agree on some key foundational doctrines (and even those are not
universally agreed upon), the details of our beliefs do not matter and
we can have unity.
ii.
An extreme example of
this was Rick Warren’s (founder and “pastor” of Saddleback Community
Church in Lake Forrest, CA) statement to a Muslim Imam about Islam and
“Christianity” at the World Economic Forum on January 24, 2008.
He said, “To my Islamic brother from Italy, I would say, ‘I’m not
interested in interfaith dialogue, I’m interested in interfaith
projects...”[1]
On July 4th, at the 2009 Islamic Society Forum, Warren said,
“the two largest faiths on the planet must work together
to combat stereotypes and solve global problems”, and “Some
problems are so big you have to team tackle them,”[2]
iii.
Called -
“Unity in diversity” – a phrase that acknowledges we have doctrinal
differences, but seeks to set aside (i.e. ignore) such for the sake of
unity.
Ecumenicalism (Ecumenical movement), “1.
General, universal. 4. Of or
pertaining to a movement especially among protestant groups since the
1800s aimed at achieving universal Christian unity and church union
through international interdenominational organizations that cooperate
on matters of mutual concern.”[3]
WHAT is meant by this term is NOT that we meet to discuss God’s standard
but rather that we meet to discuss how we can set aside differences of
belief as found in God’s standard and still achieve unity.
The “Grace-Unity Movement” which is a movement started in the early 70s
with the goal of setting aside differences for the sake of unity.
It is fostered in statements like, “Attend the church of your choice”,
etc. At the end of many
television “sermons” you will hear an invitation to find a “Bible
believing church in your community.”
Or, “We’re all going to heaven, just by different routes.”
iv.
Another concept makes a
distinction between matters of social concerns where there are
agreements (such as abortion, addressing social issues – something we
know is highly misunderstood in the religious world – TT) and
theological issues which we disagree about.
They state we can work together in social matters but we must
remain separate doctrinally.
[4]
v.
Some contend that there
is a difference between doctrine and the gospel.
b.
Why this is a “comfort
doctrine”. Because it
removes the need to accept what God’s word tells you to do.
Simply stated, it can lead to the mentality that you formulate
what you want to believe and do and then you find a church that allows
you to do it. Thus you find
comfort without total obedience to the truth.
II.
What does the Bible say?
a.
The need for unity is
clearly taught in scripture –
i.
1 Cor. 1:10 – Paul’s
admonition to a divided congregation.
ii.
John 17:20-21 – the
prayer of Jesus
iii.
Eph. 4:1-6 – endeavoring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
b.
What is meant by unity
in the Bible?
i.
Unity in the Bible was
NOT ecumenicalism. Nowhere
do you read of this concept that we set aside doctrinal differences to
achieve unity.
ii.
The Bible is clear that
what God says IS TRUTH and as such must be taken at face value.
John 17:17 – “Your word is truth”
John 16:13 as Jesus promised that He would send the Spirit to His
apostles He said, “However, when
He, the Spirit of truth, has come,
He will guide you into all truth;
for he will not speak of His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Eph. 4:21 says, “But you have not so learned in Christ, in indeed you
have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.”
John 8:32, “The truth shall make you free.”
When Pilate said, “What is truth?” (Jn.8:38) he was dismissing the claim
of Jesus that, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
NOWHERE in scripture is truth treated as arbitrary.
But we are told, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what
the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17)
iii.
It is AGREEMENT in TRUTH
that produces unity.
1 Cor. 1:10 again - “All speak the same thing” and there were NO
divisions.
1 Cor. 4:17, “As I teach everywhere in every church.”
Paul did not have a different message for Ephesus, Corinth and
the churches of Galatia (Yes they were different letters with different
topics addressed, but they were NOT contradictory.
Wherever the same subject was addressed, there was COMPLETE
harmony.)
Even Peter and Paul were in agreement – 2 Pet. 3:16.
To the Philippians Paul challenged them to be like minded.
He said, “Therefore if
there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by
being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind.” (Phil 2:1-3) Yes
that message was to one congregation, but the principal applies
universally as the truth does NOT contradict itself.
Consider Galatians 1:6-9 written to SEVERAL churches and yet there was
ONE message for all of them.
Even Revelation 2-3 (addressed to the 7 churches of Asia – Rev. 1:11).
In EACH of these letters we read,
“He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6,
13, 22).
QUESTION: Was Paul in Galatians and John in Revelation writing to
congregations in a particular denomination or to congregations of the
TRUE Lord’s church? We know
the answer!
iv.
There is ONE Gospel and
it must be respected by all.
c.
Biblical principles to
consider when one says, “It doesn’t matter what we believe.”
i.
2 Tim. 3:16, 17 – “All
scripture” is profitable for “doctrine, reproof, correction and
instruction in righteousness.”
ii.
James 1:21-25 – we must
look into and continue in “the perfect law of liberty.”
iii.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not
every who says ‘Lord, Lord’…
In essence Jesus said that there are those who claim to be Christians
(i.e. believed in Him and thought they were obeying Him) who WILL BE
LOST! Those who will be
saved are those who DO the will of the Father.
iv.
Concerning false
teachers.
1.
Many who profess it
doesn’t matter what you believe have a challenge in dealing with the
matter of false teachers.
Whether he admits it or not, he is by default accepting that (according
to their beliefs) there are false teachers who will be saved.
Since truth is absolute, when there are differing views, at least
one party MUST be wrong. If
he teaches what is wrong, he IS a false teacher!
2.
DOES the Bible tolerate
false teachers or false teaching? The answer is NO!
2 Pet. 2:1-3 speaks of
false prophets and teachers who will bring in destructive heresies.
Who is a false teacher? Multiple warnings against false teachers
– many of whom believed in Jesus in some form.
1 John 4:1 calls for us to “test the spirits, whether they are of God.”
This is in a context where one is denying Jesus came in the flesh
(NOT denying Jesus Christ).
Does it matter what one teaches?
John said it did! (1 Jn. 4:2-3).
3.
2 John 9-11 – we find
instructions as to how to deal with one bringing false doctrine.
Do not receive him.
4.
Acts 18:24-28 speaks of
Apollos who had been instructed in the way of the Lord and taught it
accurately EXCEPT he knew only the baptism of John.
To summarize, he was taken aside by Aquila and Priscilla and
corrected. When corrected he
taught accurately. According
to the doctrine of many today what Apollos was teaching was no big deal
and should be tolerated. IT
didn’t need correction.
5.
While there is some
distinction in scripture between false teachers with dishonest motives
and those who are honest teaching error, NEVER are false teachers
or false doctrine treated as acceptable!
d.
Is the gospel exclusive?
Yes and No!
i.
From the standpoint of
the gospel being available to anyone and everyone, the answer is NO!
Rom. 1:16, John 3:16, etc.
ii.
However, from the
standpoint of HOW one is saved and HOW we are to serve God, the answer
is YES! 2 Thess. 1:8 speaks
of those who do not obey the gospel.
Luke 6:46, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things
that I say?”
Rom. 2:7 speaks of eternal life awaiting those who “by patient
continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality.”
Matt. 7:13-14 – the narrow gate – few will find it.
iii.
God expects us to keep
His word. It is a pattern we
are expected to follow – 2 Tim. 1:13, “hold fast the pattern of sound
words…”
iv.
To tell the truth, I
have more respect for a false denomination that stands by its belief
than I do for a church that says it doesn’t matter what you believe.
e.
The argument is
sometimes made that what we need to agree upon is the “core” principles.
i.
Often there is an
attempt to make a distinction between things necessary to accept and
others that are optional.
Examples of the “essentials” might include belief in Jesus as the source
of our salvation, we are sinners, the Bible is the word of God, etc.
They might appeal to something
like “the apostle’s creed”, etc.
Some make a distinction between “gospel” and “doctrine”.
ii.
In scripture the gospel
IS doctrine. Consider the
following:
1.
1 Tim. 1:10-11, speaks
of both “sound doctrine” and “the glorious gospel of the blessed God…”
2.
In the book of Romans
Paul describes WHAT we obey using 4 different terms -
Rom. 1:5 – “obedience to the faith”
Rom. 2:8 – those who “do not obey the truth”
Rom. 6:17 – obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine.”
Rom. 10:16 – “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.”
3.
Doctrine is described
as:
1 Tim. 1:10 – “sound doctrine”
1 Tim. 6:3 – doctrine “accords with godliness”
2 Tim. 3:16 – the gospel is profitable for “doctrine” which makes the
“man of God complete.
2 John 9 speaks of “the doctrine of Christ”
Acts 2:42 speaks of “the apostle’s doctrine”
John 7:16-17 – Jesus noted that His doctrine was not His, but the
Father’s
Will one dare to say
that doctrine as used in such terminology is not tied to the gospel?
iii.
Who determines what is
“core” and what is not? What
about the rest of the Bible?
Can we dismiss, as unnecessary, those things we don’t think are “core”?
What about those who don’t meet these “core” values?
Do they have a right to reject you “core” beliefs?
iv.
Paul declared, “the
whole counsel of God” and made no distinction about what was important
and what was not.
f.
Can we lend fellowship
to a church practicing error?
Eph. 5:11 – expose the unfruitful works of darkness.
2 Cor. 6:14-17 – do not be unequally yoked…
III.
What is wrong with this
doctrine?
a.
It is both unscriptural
& anti-scriptural as we have seen.
NOWHERE does the Bible dismiss false teaching.
It is to be dealt with!
b.
It makes the truth
arbitrary. This doctrine trivializes doctrinal accuracy.
c.
It promotes division –
by definition, denomination includes division.
d.
It promotes ignorance –
why study if it doesn’t matter?
e.
It removes true
accountability – if it doesn’t matter which church you attend, then why
not find “the church of YOUR choice” that requires minimal change in
your life?
f.
Why contend for the
faith? (Jude 3) If a brother
is in error, why go to him?
After all it doesn’t matter what we believe!
g.
It redefines many
Biblical terms - what the Bible teaches about grace, fellowship, what
the gospel and doctrine is, who our brethren are and sin.
IV.
TRUE Comfort
a.
Comes through knowing
the truth of God’s words – 1 Thess. 4:18, Rom. 15:4, which means we need
to study His word
b.
Comes through KNOWING we
are doing it – i.e. obedience (Rom. 2:8)
c.
Comes through seeking
TRUE and COMPLETE unity
d.
Seeking those of “like
precious faith.”
And
thus we can see how this comfort doctrine is a false source of comfort.
Throughout this study we have emphasized the need to rightly
divide the word of truth. We
need to handle it accurately.
IF we choose to ignore ANYTHING about His word, may we NOT find
comfort until we repent.\